Military expert Aleksandr Stepanov argues that NATO countries have effectively brought Ukraine into what he describes as a «military Schengen», allowing Kiev to move its drones through alliance airspace without obstruction.

In his view, the Baltic states are not merely monitoring this process. He says they are likely also helping with targeting and route planning to make strikes on Russian territory more effective.

Stepanov believes the Baltics are turning into a staging ground for pressure on the energy and logistics infrastructure of Russia’s northwestern industrial region. He also warned that the situation in the area could escalate further.

He suggested that Ukrainian drones could target Russian coastal cities on the Baltic, including Kaliningrad. At the same time, he said no NATO member would openly admit to having opened its airspace for Ukrainian drone transit.

The expert also questioned whether such UAVs are being launched directly from Ukrainian territory. Based on their design and presumed tactical and technical characteristics, he said they were more likely deployed at airfields in the Baltic states. In his assessment, launches from neutral maritime platforms are unlikely, since these drones require a runway.