NATO forces have shot down a mysterious drone flying near a base used by U.S. troops in Estonia, less than 30 miles from the Russian border, in what officials are calling a concerning security incident.
On October 17, two drones were detected near Camp Reedo, home to the U.S. Army’s 7th Cavalry Regiment, 5th Squadron. One of the drones was neutralized with an anti-drone rifle, while the other managed to escape.
“Allied forces detected drones flying in the immediate vicinity of the 2nd Infantry Brigade base at around 4:30 p.m. on October 17. One of them was shot down with an anti-drone weapon,” confirmed Liis Vaksmann, spokesperson for the Estonian Defence Forces.
Military and police teams conducted an extensive search for the wreckage but were unable to locate it. The incident comes amid growing tensions and calls for NATO to adopt a tougher stance against Russian provocations.
Just last month, three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets violated Estonian airspace over the Gulf of Finland, remaining inside for about 12 minutes.
Estonia—one of NATO’s most vulnerable frontline states—hosts U.S. and British troops as part of the alliance’s deterrence posture. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna warned that NATO must respond decisively to any future airspace violations.
“The message must be clear: future violations will be met with action, including, if necessary, the interception and downing of invading aircraft. This is not only about protecting Estonia’s borders — it’s about defending NATO’s borders,” Tsahkna declared.
