A Romanian fighter jet shot down a drone in Estonian airspace, following a NATO surveillance mission in the region
A drone that entered Estonian airspace was intercepted and shot down by a plane belonging to the NATO air police mission in the Baltic Sea region, Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur announced.
Military drone Ukraine photo: Shuterstock
According to preliminary reports, the aircraft was detected by Estonian radars after entering national airspace, prompting the activation of an air alert in several regions of the country's south.
The drone is of Ukrainian origin and is said to have deviated from its trajectory due to possible electronic interference, but this information has not been confirmed by the Estonian authorities or NATO.
According to Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur, Estonian radars detected the aircraft after it entered national airspace. The drone was intercepted and shot down over Lake Võrtsjärv, and the exact area where the debris fell is being identified, most likely on land, the Estonian press writes.
Pevkur said Romanian F-16s shot down the drone between Võrtsjärve and Põltsamaa, and it fell in a swampy area. “We are currently still conducting search operations“said the minister.
Air Force Commander Brigadier General Riivo Valge said the drone appeared on radar around 12:00 p.m. “We tracked this drone with our own and allied means”he noted. Valge added that a visual identification was conducted before the shootings. The drone was hit by the first missile, he noted.
Remains of the drone were discovered in the Kablaküla area, about 30 meters from the houses.
The local authorities specified that there were no casualties or material damage, but teams of firemen and intervention structures were sent to the scene to secure the area.
Valge said the threat is still present in Latvia. “It may happen that the situation repeats itself today”he said.
The Estonian Defense Forces issued an alert message at 12:00 on Tuesday regarding a possible air threat in southern Estonia. “If you see a drone, stay away and call 112. Further information at kriis.ee and 1247″, the authorities sent in the alert message.
