Chairman of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Markuš Perestrello stated that the responsibility for the increased cases of combat drones appearing in the territory of alliance countries lies with Russia. According to him, such incidents are a direct consequence of the war against Ukraine and require strengthening the defense of NATO's eastern flank.
NATO is increasingly assessing incidents involving military drones that have been repeatedly recorded in the Baltic States and Eastern Europe in recent months.
Speaking at the spring session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Vilnius, Assembly Chairman Markuš Perestrello stated that Russia is responsible for such cases. According to him, the war against Ukraine is accompanied not only by military actions but also by actions that destabilize the situation in alliance countries.
Perestrello reminded of recent incidents involving drones in Lithuania and Romania.
"These incidents are a direct consequence of Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine," he emphasized.
The head of the assembly noted that it does not fundamentally matter whether the airspace violations were intentional, resulted from irresponsible military actions near NATO borders, or were a side effect of the Russian war against Ukraine.
According to him, in any case, the responsibility lies with Moscow.
What is important to know: In recent months, cases of drones appearing near or within the airspace of NATO countries have become one of the most discussed security topics on the eastern flank of the alliance. Such incidents are particularly actively discussed in the Baltic States, Romania, and Poland.
Perestrello stated that NATO's response should consist of further strengthening defense and deterrence.
In his opinion, allies need to maintain unity and pay special attention to the security of the eastern flank.
The speech came ahead of preparations for the next NATO summit, which will take place on July 7–8 in Ankara. The head of the Parliamentary Assembly highlighted four key areas of the alliance's work: increasing defense spending, enhancing European contributions to NATO security, improving societal resilience to crises, and continuing support for Ukraine.
He emphasized the need to turn political statements into real defense capabilities.
"Declarations do not protect territory. Potential does not appear just because leaders announce it," noted Perestrello.
Last week, an incident in Romania raised additional alarm, where a Russian drone crashed into a residential building in the city of Galați near the Ukrainian border.
Similar cases have also been recorded in Lithuania, Latvia, and other countries in the region.
Against this backdrop, NATO continues to increase its focus on air defense, drone detection, and the protection of the alliance's external borders.
According to Perestrello, the alliance remains united and ready to defend "every inch of territory" of NATO member states.
