Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on 23 June that Russia would carry out retaliatory strikes against European countries if drones targeting Russian facilities were launched from their territory, according to The Moscow Times.
Putin made the remarks during an informal meeting with military graduates. "They understand that a retaliatory strike will follow. I think everyone understands this, or should. That is why they are trying in every possible way to distance themselves from it," he claimed, as cited by The Moscow Times.
Baltic states and drone attribution
Putin noted that the Baltic states are avoiding escalation with Moscow over drones entering their airspace.
He also characterised Ukrainian drone strikes on Russia as an attempt to "destabilise" society. "With such a powerful influence, when the entire West is helping them and drones are flying in waves, their goal is to provoke uncertainty about the actions of the Russian armed forces," Putin said. He added that front-line developments "fade into the background" in such circumstances.
Putin also reiterated that he sees no grounds for peace talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Russia's intelligence service targets Latvia
Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) separately alleged that Ukrainian Armed Forces units were preparing to launch drones toward targets on Russian territory from Latvian soil, stationing personnel at five military bases: Ādaži, Selonia, Lielvārde, Daugavpils, and Jēkabpils, according to the Polish-language report.
The SVR claimed Russian capabilities allow it to pinpoint drone launch coordinates and analyse debris from intercepted craft. Latvia's NATO membership "will not shield the accomplices of terrorists from just punishment," the SVR warned.
Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu had separately warned Baltic states that Moscow reserves the right to self-defence in connection with drone strikes on Russian territory. Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it had issued a "special warning" to Baltic states over the use of their airspace for Ukrainian military drones. Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania rejected the allegations in a joint statement.
Polish foreign minister invokes 1939 Gleiwitz incident
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski drew a parallel between Putin's rhetoric and the August 1939 Gleiwitz provocation—when Nazi Germany staged an attack on a German radio station using Polish insignia as a pretext for the invasion of Poland—writing on X on 23 June that Putin's statements sound like "an announcement of a provocation."
"This sounds like an announcement of a provocation. I am waiting for an attack on Russian territory under a false flag, to which Putin will 'respond,'" Sikorski wrote, according to Suspilne.
