Nearly 60% in Estonia Say Drone Incursions Have Raised Safety Concerns, Poll Shows
A recent poll reveals that 57% of Estonian residents feel drone incursions have increased safety concerns for themselves and their families.
Nearly 60% of Estonian residents report that recent drone incursions into the country's airspace have heightened concerns about personal and family safety, according to a survey conducted by Emor and commissioned by the Government Office.
The poll found that 57% of respondents agreed that drone incursions have increased concerns about their own safety and that of their families. In contrast, 36% disagreed, and 7% expressed no opinion.
Regarding response to a drone threat, 67% of respondents said they know what to do, while 23% admitted they do not. Furthermore, 40% rated the work of Estonian authorities in handling drone incidents positively, while nearly the same proportion gave a negative assessment.
Nearly half of respondents (45%) hold Russia responsible for the drone incursions, while 32% disagree and 23% are unsure. Additionally, 44% believe that the claim that Estonia allowed its airspace to be used for strikes on Russia is a Russian influence operation. Some 31% disagree with this view, and 25% are uncertain.
The survey was conducted from June 9 to 15, involving 1,319 Estonian citizens and residents aged 15 and over.
Just before the Midsummer break, media reported an attack drone found in a field in Rõuge municipality in South Estonia, containing about 5 kilograms of explosives. Officials suggested the crashed drone may have originated from Ukraine's drone strikes on Russian infrastructure targets in Baltic ports such as Ust-Luga. Several other incidents of drone incursions and found drone fragments were reported in Estonia and Latvia through spring and early summer, continuing into 2025.
