An helicopter of the NATO Particular Operations Forces is seen through the Trojan Footprint 2026 (TFP26) army train at sea in Constanta, south-eastern Romania.
| Photograph Credit score: AFP
A Romanian F-16 jet belonging to The North Atlantic Treaty Group (NATO) air policing forces within the Baltics on Tuesday (Might 19, 2026) shot down what’s believed to have been a Ukrainian drone over southern Estonia, authorities stated.
Given the trajectory of the drone, “we determined that we have to take it down,” Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur stated.
“Most likely, at the moment we will say that it was (a) drone which was, let’s say, meant to hit some Russian targets,” he instructed The Related Press.
It was the most recent in a string of incidents in current months through which Ukrainian drones geared toward Russia have crossed or come down in NATO territory.
These incidents have come as Kyiv has steadily ramped up its drone raids, specializing in Russian power services and arms factories.
On Sunday (Might 17, 2026) , authorities in Russia stated that one of many largest Ukrainian drone strikes on the nation killed a minimum of 4 folks, together with three close to Moscow, and wounded a dozen others.
Ukraine’s potential to interrupt by Russian air defences mirror the expansion within the variety of its drones, together with its enhanced ways.
Mr. Pevkur stated that Ukraine has been suggested to watch out.
“Our messages haven’t modified,” Mr. Pevkur stated. “We’ve stated to the Ukrainians on a regular basis that for those who’re attacking Russian positions or Russian targets, then these trajectories must be as removed from the NATO territory as attainable.” The strikes have prompted some tensions throughout the Baltic states, and between them and Russia.
Final week, Latvia’s authorities collapsed, with the prime minister resigning after the defence minister was pressured to give up over the dealing with of a number of incidents involving stray drones suspected to be from Ukraine, and his social gathering withdrew its help.
On Tuesday(Might 19, 2026), Russia’s International Intelligence Service (SVR) stated that Ukraine was making ready to start out launching drone assaults in opposition to Russia from the territory of the Baltic nations and warned of retaliation.
It stated in a press release that the Ukrainian army personnel had already deployed to Latvia and warned that the nation’s membership in NATO wouldn’t defend it from “simply retribution.” Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics posted on X that “Russia is mendacity about Latvia permitting any nation to make use of Latvian airspace and territory to launch assaults in opposition to Russia or some other nation.” Estonian International Minister Margus Tsahkna stated in a press release following Tuesday’s (Might 19, 2026) incident that Ukraine has each proper to strike Russian army targets.
“Estonia has not permitted its airspace for use for assaults in opposition to Russia,” he stated. “Incidents resembling this are linked to Russian jamming actions.”
Revealed – Might 19, 2026 07:46 pm IST