Latvia Warns of Russian Drone Advantage Threatening Baltic States by 2028

• •Russia has a significant advantage in drone warfare over NATO, particularly in scalability.
• •Latvian military officials warn of a potential Russian invasion of the Baltic states by 2028.
• •The ongoing war in Ukraine is a testing ground for Russian military innovations, including drone technology.

General Kaspars Pudāns of the Latvian armed forces warned that Russia has gained a significant advantage in drone warfare over NATO. This advantage stems from Russia's ability to produce drones at scale and adapt them quickly for military use. Pudāns indicated that Russia might exploit this advantage to invade the Baltic states before the end of 2028, as European military modernization programs are not expected to be effective until 2029. He highlighted that the ongoing war in Ukraine serves as a testing ground for new military technologies, including drones capable of long-range strikes. The potential for hybrid attacks, including cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns, was also mentioned. The situation remains tense, with NATO countries on alert for possible aggression from Russia.