Russia and Ukraine Intensify Drone Warfare as Stray Drones Enter Estonia’s Airspace

With the war grinding into its fifth year, both Russia and Ukraine have sharply escalated their use of drones, launching most of their strikes overnight when interception is more difficult. The intensification is now spilling beyond the battlefield, drawing neighbouring countries into the conflict’s shadow.

Estonia’s government revealed on Wednesday that Ukrainian drones intended for targets inside Russia had strayed into Estonian airspace earlier in the week. Local broadcaster ERR reported that drone debris was later recovered, prompting renewed concerns about the conflict’s expanding reach.

The violations come as Kyiv steps up its campaign against Russia’s oil export infrastructure. Over the past month, Ukraine has launched major strikes on the Primorsk and Ust‑Luga ports on the Baltic Sea critical hubs for Moscow’s energy exports.

Inside Ukraine, the fallout from Russia’s retaliatory strikes has been severe. Zakarpattia governor Myroslav Biletskyi said Russian drones hit critical infrastructure in the Khust and Uzhhorod districts, near the borders with Slovakia and Hungary. In the Ivano‑Frankivsk region, electricity supplies were cut to around 11,000 customers, according to local officials.

These developments follow Russia’s largest drone attack in months, signalling what analysts believe is the start of a renewed spring offensive. With both sides escalating and neighbouring states increasingly affected, the drone war is entering a more volatile and unpredictable phase.