Russia has been blamed after a suspected Ukrainian combat drone crashed and exploded in a farmer’s field in Estonia. It is believed the drone hit the ground in the south of the NATO nation in the early hours of Sunday morning, although debris wasn’t found until Monday afternoon.
Estonian authorities believe the unmanned aerial vehicle was aiming for targets inside Russia but veered off course due to Russian GPS jamming and electronic warfare measures. On Sunday, Ukraine launched a major drone attack on a key Russian gas plant in Ust-Luga — around 15 miles from the Estonia border and 621 miles from Ukraine. The director general of Estonia’s Internal Security Service said there was “nothing” to indicate it could have been a Russian drone.
“Based on very preliminary data, we have reason to believe that this may be a Ukrainian drone that was targeted at inland Russian sites but was diverted from its course by Russia‘s GPS jamming and other electronic warfare measures, causing it to veer into Estonian airspace,” said Margo Palloson.
“At the scene, pieces of the combat drone were found scattered across the field, and a clearly identifiable post-explosion crater was visible.
“Based on very preliminary data, we estimate that the drone came down already in the early hours of Sunday, around 4 to 5am.”
If the drone had hit a residential building, it could’ve caused significant damage, he added, according to ERR.
A local who believed she heard the drone told the public broadcaster she noticed a “strange sound” flying over her house before a “loud explosion that made the windows shake”.
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said on X: “A drone wreck with signs of explosion was found in southern Estonia yesterday. No injuries reported.
“Russia has long used GPS jamming and other EW [electronic warfare] tactics to disrupt regional air and sea traffic.
“Estonia will respond by building layered air defence, including a drone wall.”
The drone wall, announced earlier this year, is expected to cost around £17 million and be completed by 2027.
Estonia’s defence intelligence chief said the Russian jamming is focused on protecting Russia assets, rather than targeting Estonia or NATO allies, per ERR.
Colonel Ants Kiviselg added there has been no change in the country’s threat level.
An investigation is underway to establish where the drone entered Estonian airspace from.
Drones from the Ukraine war have previously exploded in other NATO nations such as Poland and Romania.
