Russia has issued a stark warning to Finland and the Baltic states, threatening military retaliation if Ukrainian forces use their airspace to conduct drone strikes against Russian territory. The warning was delivered by Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council and former president, on April 16, 2026.
In a post on his official Telegram channel, Medvedev stated that any use of Finnish or Baltic airspace by Ukrainian drones for attacks on Russia would be considered a justification for strikes on decision-making centers in those countries. He specifically named Helsinki, Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius as potential targets.
The threat escalates regional tensions following Finland's accession to NATO in 2023 and the longstanding membership of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. All four nations share borders with Russia and have been strong supporters of Ukraine since the 2022 invasion.
NATO officials have condemned the remarks as irresponsible and a threat to Euro-Atlantic security. Finnish and Baltic leaders have consistently denied allowing their territory to be used for attacks on Russia, maintaining their right to support Ukraine's defense within international law.
