Russia is expanding infrastructure for drone operations near NATO’s eastern borders, potentially increasing Moscow’s ability to deploy strike UAVs against targets inside alliance countries, The National Interest reported, citing European intelligence services.

According to the publication, the Russian military has allegedly established or upgraded ten drone bases close to the borders of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. The facilities are said to include around 60 new launch rails designed for strike unmanned aerial systems.

The National Interest also points to the growing range of modern drones. Some UAVs, the magazine notes, could theoretically reach targets well beyond NATO’s border states, extending deeper into Europe. Germany and Sweden are among the countries mentioned as potentially falling within the operating range of certain systems.

The expansion comes as unmanned aircraft continue to reshape modern warfare. During the conflict in Ukraine, relatively small and inexpensive drones have become a major tool for striking personnel, military equipment and infrastructure.

NATO is responding by strengthening its counter-drone capabilities. In July, the alliance announced plans to spend about $40 billion over the next five years on systems designed to counter UAVs and on training personnel to operate them.