Zakharova Threatens Baltic States with Russia's "Devastating" Response

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has threatened the Baltic states with a "resolute and devastating" response from Russia should the military-political situation in the region escalate further. The statement was reported by the TASS news agency.

"Should the military-political situation in the Baltics escalate further, it must once again be emphasized — and I will say it again: the Russian side's reaction to those behind reckless anti-Russian actions will be resolute and devastating for them," Zakharova said, without specifying exactly what actions she was referring to.

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have consistently supported Ukraine, which has been fending off Russia's full-scale invasion for more than 4.5 years now. These countries also lead NATO members in defense spending as a share of their economies and remain among the sharpest critics of the Russian regime.

Drones Violate Airspace of Three Countries

Zakharova's remarks came on the same day that Estonia, Latvia and Finland issued airspace threat warnings, with Helsinki restricting flights over the eastern part of the country. The news was reported by Estonian broadcaster ERR.

According to Riivo Valge, commander of the Estonian Air Force, two drones violated Estonian airspace — one near Narva on the border with Russia, and another in the country's southeast. Latvian broadcaster LSM reported that drones also entered Latvian airspace. NATO fighter jets were scrambled in response to the series of incidents.

ERR reports that the drone incursions are linked to a massive Ukrainian strike on Russian territory overnight Tuesday. Around 20 drones were detected near Estonia's borders. Ukrainian drones have previously entered Estonian territory on multiple occasions.

Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz