Next week, military experts from Ukraine will arrive in the Baltic States to aid in counter-drone measures within their airspace, as reported by Estonia’s public broadcaster ERR, citing Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs on June 10.
Kulbergs, who recently took office, signed a “drone agreement” with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Tallinn, Estonia, during a summit involving Ukraine and Northern European and Baltic nations.
He stated, “Next week, military experts from Ukraine—those who have fought on the front lines and possess comprehensive knowledge—will assess the situation in Latvia.” This assessment is expected to help the Baltic nations determine the necessary technical equipment for optimal air defense.
Earlier, Kulbergs mentioned to the Estonian publication Postimees that drone countermeasures from Ukraine could arrive in Latvia later this year. He acknowledged that NATO’s traditional methods for dealing with drones have proven ineffective, prompting a need to consult experts who have extensive experience in this area.
During his visit to Tallinn, Zelensky repeatedly noted that Russia is redirecting drones into NATO airspace. When asked by ERR News if Latvia had evidence of this, Kulbergs responded, “That is quite accurate.”
Andris Kulbergs assumed the role of Prime Minister of Latvia on May 29, following the resignation of his predecessor, Evika Silina, on May 14. Silina stepped down after the dismissal of the defense minister and a loss of support from her party, which was considered a key ally in the coalition.
Additionally, Silina accused former Defense Minister Andris Sprudens of failing to deploy counter-drone measures swiftly enough to prevent two Ukrainian drones from entering Latvian territory.
The Baltic States have consistently reported incursions of Ukrainian drones into their airspace. Ukrainian officials have emphasized that these drones are entering Baltic territories due to actions by Russian electronic warfare systems. Foreign ministers from these countries have also accused Russia of deliberately redirecting Ukrainian drones.
Ukrainian military experts will visit the Baltic States next week to evaluate drone defense strategies. This initiative follows a recent agreement signed with Ukraine amid growing concerns over drone incursions linked to Russian actions.
Source: ERR