NARVA, Estonia — March 25, 2026 — Estonian authorities say a Russian military drone struck the chimney of a power plant near the country’s eastern border early Wednesday, marking one of the most serious cross‑border incidents since the start of Moscow’s full‑scale invasion of Ukraine.
Officials reported no injuries, but the impact caused visible damage to the upper section of the chimney at the Narva Power Plant complex, a major facility located only a few kilometers from the Russian frontier. Emergency crews secured the site, and the plant continued operating at reduced capacity as engineers assessed structural stability.
Estonia’s Interior Ministry said preliminary analysis indicated the drone entered Estonian airspace from the direction of Russia’s Pskov region before hitting the plant. “This was a deliberate violation of our sovereignty and an unacceptable threat to civilian infrastructure,” Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets told reporters. He added that Estonia had lodged a formal protest with Moscow through diplomatic channels.
The Estonian Defence Forces said the drone appeared to be a small, fixed‑wing model commonly used by Russian forces for reconnaissance and light strike missions. Investigators are examining debris recovered from the site to determine the exact type and flight path.
Russia did not immediately comment on the incident. In previous cases involving cross‑border explosions or debris, Moscow has denied responsibility or blamed Ukrainian activity.
The strike comes amid heightened tensions along NATO’s eastern flank, where Estonia and its Baltic neighbors have repeatedly warned of increased Russian military activity near their borders. While Estonia has experienced occasional airspace violations in recent years, direct damage to infrastructure is rare.
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said the government was treating the incident with “full seriousness” and would brief NATO allies. “Our response will be coordinated, measured, and grounded in facts,” she said, emphasizing that Estonia would not be drawn into escalation.
Local residents in Narva reported hearing a loud crack shortly after dawn. “It sounded like something hit metal,” said Andrus Kivimäe, who lives less than a kilometer from the plant. “At first I thought it was construction noise, but then the sirens started.”
Energy officials stressed that the strike posed no immediate risk to the electricity supply. The Narva complex, which includes several generating units, is one of Estonia’s key power producers.
European Union leaders condemned the incident, calling it another reminder of the conflict’s spillover risks. A spokesperson for the European Commission said the bloc stood “in full solidarity with Estonia” and expected a transparent explanation from Russia.
Estonian investigators are expected to release a preliminary report in the coming days. For now, authorities say the priority is securing the site and ensuring the safety of workers and nearby residents.
