A drone entering Estonian airspace from Russia struck a chimney at the Auvere power plant early this March 25, authorities say. No injuries were reported, and the country’s power infrastructure was not damaged. Estonia is a member of NATO.
Officials say the drone was not intentionally directed at Estonia or the facility, though an investigation has been launched by the Estonian Internal Security Service. Demining teams have also been deployed to the scene in northeastern Estonia, near the Russian border.
The incident comes amid heightened regional tensions, with Ukrainian drone strikes targeting Russian Baltic ports, including Ust-Luga and Primorsk, where oil facilities have been burning for days. A separate drone also briefly entered Latvian airspace, according to local authorities.
Once a more cooperative partnership, ties between NATO and Moscow have deteriorated sharply, today resembling the tense standoff of the Cold War. So, how has a previously constructive relationship between NATO and Russia turned so fractious? Click through this gallery and find out more about why Russia fell out with NATO.