A Russian drone crashed in eastern Latvia on Saturday, and an investigation is underway, President Edgars Rinkeviczs said. Defense Minister Andris Spruds said the incident “confirms the need to further strengthen Latvia's eastern border.” Ukraine has called on its partners to jointly use air defense forces against Russia.
The incident occurred near the city of Rezekne. According to preliminary data, the drone flew into Latvian airspace from the territory Belarus – wrote the president.
The military and police are investigating the matter. Armed forces Latvia Member States informed about it NATO – the Ministry of Defence reported.
Need for “further strengthening of Latvia's eastern border”
Armed Forces Commander Leonids Kalninsz told the LETA news agency that the drone entered Latvian airspace in the early hours of Saturday morning and was immediately detected by the military. The armed forces command did not provide details about the location and circumstances of the drone's crash.
Initial reports indicate that the drone had no hostile intentions on Latvian territory. Although the investigation is ongoing, experts believe that the drone had no specific purpose or reason to fly into Latvia. “We assessed and monitored the situation to determine the level of threat and whether any objects or people were at risk,” Kalniņsz said.
– This incident confirms the need to further strengthen Latvia's eastern border, including improving our air defense and electronic warfare capabilities, which will help to limit drone operations of various types, said Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds.
Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braże announced that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had summoned a representative of the embassy for a meeting on Monday. Russia.
“Russia's aggressive actions extend beyond Ukraine”
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ukraine Andriy Sybiha noted that Russian drones had violated Latvian and Romanian airspace. “This is a clear reminder that Russia's aggressive actions extend beyond Ukraine,” he said.
As he wrote, the response to Russia's actions should be: “A bold collective decision to use partner air defense to intercept Russian missiles and drones over Ukraine. Stronger and faster military assistance to Ukrainian soldiers. Lifting restrictions on the use of weapons by Ukraine.” “We need to act now!” – appealed Sybiha.
According to the Romanian Ministry of Defense, during the night from Saturday to Sunday Russia's attack on Ukraine Russian drone flew into Romanian airspace. Search for drone continues.
In the border regions Romania Fragments of Russian drones have previously fallen in the Danube Delta. According to Romanian authorities, these were drones used in attacks on Ukraine, and Romania itself was not the target of the attack.
Main image source: X/@edgarsrinkevics