Latvia Denounces ‘Large-Scale’ Russian Disinformation Campaign Targeting Baltic Airspace Neutrality

Latvia's Defense Ministry denounces a Russian campaign claiming the Baltics help Ukraine strike Russia. Learn why Riga calls it a distraction from refinery fires.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 27, 2026, 1:03 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Anadolu Agency and local Baltic defense briefings.

Countering the ‘Airspace Opening’ Narrative

The Latvian Defense Ministry issued a sharp rebuttal on Friday to Russian claims that the Baltic states have "officially opened" their airspace for Ukrainian drone operations. Moscow’s narrative suggests that a new corridor through Poland and the Baltics allows Ukrainian forces to bypass Belarusian and Russian air defenses to strike targets in Saint Petersburg and the Leningrad region. Riga, Vilnius, and Tallinn have dismissed these allegations as pure fabrication. Officials emphasized that while they remain steadfast allies of Ukraine, they strictly adhere to international norms regarding the use of their sovereign territory, asserting that Ukraine’s long-range strikes are launched independently from Ukrainian soil.

Distraction From Baltic Sea Infrastructure Failures

Latvian officials characterized the disinformation campaign as a defensive psychological maneuver by the Kremlin. In recent weeks, Ukrainian "kamikaze" drones have successfully targeted high-value Russian energy assets, including the Ust-Luga and Primorsk oil terminals. These strikes have reportedly halted approximately 40% to 50% of Russia’s crude oil export capacity in the region. By blaming the Baltic states, the Latvian Ministry argues, Russia is attempting to "demonstrate its weakness" by creating a pretext for its failure to intercept these drones before they reach critical infrastructure along the Baltic Sea coast.

Recent Drone Incursions and Electronic Warfare

The information war follows a series of genuine security incidents earlier this week. On March 25, at least three drones—believed to be Ukrainian—strayed into Baltic territory. One detonated in Latvia’s Krāslava region, another hit a power plant chimney in Estonia, and a third fell on a frozen lake in Lithuania. Defense analysts suggest these drones were likely diverted into NATO airspace by Russian GPS jamming and spoofing (electronic warfare) intended to protect Russian ports. While Baltic officials have treated these as "accidental byproducts" of the conflict, Moscow has seized on the incursions to frame the Baltic states as active participants in the war.