NATO forces have successfully taken down an unidentified drone that was observed flying near a military installation utilized by US troops in Estonia, close to the Russian border.
The incident occurred at Camp Reedo, a US Army base in Europe and Africa, situated less than 30 miles from the Russian border. The drone was detected hovering in the vicinity, prompting action to bring it down. It remains uncertain if US forces were directly involved in neutralizing the drone. The event transpired on October 17 but was only recently disclosed.
The situation highlights the growing concerns over Russia’s aggressive activities in the region. Estonian Defense Forces spokesperson Liis Vaksmann confirmed that drones were spotted near the 2nd Infantry Brigade’s base, leading to the downing of one using an anti-drone rifle.
Despite efforts by Estonian military and law enforcement to locate the downed drone, it remains elusive. Recently, Russian MiG-31 fighters breached Estonian airspace over the Gulf of Finland, lingering for approximately 12 minutes.
Estonia, considered a vulnerable NATO member facing potential Russian threats, hosts British troops deployed since 2017 to lead a NATO battlegroup under Operation Cabrit. The Reedo base accommodates the US Army’s 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, an armored reconnaissance unit.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna emphasized the necessity for NATO to be prepared to intercept and bring down any aircraft violating sovereign airspace. He stressed the importance of a clear message that future violations would face repercussions, including intercepting and downing intruding aircraft to defend not only Estonia’s but NATO’s borders.
The incident coincided with Ukraine launching significant strikes on Russia, causing substantial damage to oil and petrochemical facilities. Attacks targeted various locations, including oil depots, power plants, and refineries, exacerbating Russia’s petrol price hikes and supply shortages due to sustained Ukrainian bombing campaigns.
Key facilities such as the Mari Refinery in Yoshkar-Ola and the NS-Oil Refinery in Novospassk were impacted. Additionally, major sites like the Stavrolen chemical plant in Budyonnovsk and a power plant in Podilsk fell victim to the strikes.
The events underscore the escalating tensions in the region and the ongoing geopolitical challenges faced by NATO allies in the face of Russian aggression.
