Estonia Reportedly Shoots Down Russian Drone Week Before Zelenskyy–Tsahkna Meeting; A Signal Of NATO Resolve? | World News

Russia-Ukraine War: In a dramatic escalation near the eastern edge of NATO territory, Estonia reportedly shot down a Russian drone that had violated its airspace around October 17; The move is seen as a rare, decisive show of force by the alliance’s front-line state. The incident, which occurred near Camp Reedo, a military facility near Estonia’s border with Russia, has sparked fresh debate about NATO’s red lines during Moscow’s ongoing war in Ukraine.

According to initial reports, two unidentified unmanned aerial vehicles were spotted flying near Camp Reedo on the evening of October 17. Estonian defense officials confirmed that one of the unmanned aerial vehicles was shot down by allied forces, while the other retreated towards Russian territory. Although Estonia has not officially stated the origin of the plane, regional defense analysts suggest it is most likely a Russian reconnaissance plane testing NATO’s border defenses.

The timing of the incident was remarkable. More than a week later, on October 27, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna to discuss deeper defense cooperation. The meeting, held amid rising tensions in the Baltic region, underlined the growing sense of urgency among NATO members backing Kiev.

Zelenskyy, sharing on

I had a meeting with Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna. We discussed many important issues, such as long-range capabilities, unmanned aerial vehicle production, and overall defense support for Ukraine. We also talked about the cooperation between Ukraine and the Joint Expeditionary Force… pic.twitter.com/Ltz0UiLluF— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) 27 October 2025

Zelenskyy also said, “We are deeply grateful to the people and government of Estonia for being with us from the very beginning of this war. Thank you for supporting our path to the European Union, the sanctions policy and our fighters. Ukraine can count on Estonia’s assistance, and we greatly appreciate it.”

Estonia has been one of Ukraine’s most vocal and active supporters within NATO, contributing approximately 1.4% of its GDP to Kiev’s defense; this is one of the highest commitments per capita among allies. He has also been a leading advocate for tougher EU sanctions and the rapid expansion of joint drone production between Ukraine and European defense firms.

The alleged drone attack now underscores Estonia’s sovereignty and, by extension, NATO’s determination to protect its eastern flank. Defense observers say this could mark a slight shift in the alliance’s stance and break months of pressure to respond directly to Russia’s provocations.

While both NATO and Estonia maintain a measured tone, the message to Moscow seems clear: the alliance’s smallest members are no longer willing to tolerate violations of their airspace or sovereignty.

As Estonia prepares to chair the Nordic-Baltic Eight in 2026, its assertive stance could shape how Europe collectively responds to Russia’s hybrid warfare tactics, from cyberattacks to drone strikes, in the coming months.