A Russian military drone crashed in the Rezkana region of Latvia last night (Saturday), the Latvian Ministry of Defense said today. Initial reports indicate that the UAV entered Latvian airspace from neighboring Belarus. The local media reported that the Latvian Defense Forces informed senior government officials, law enforcement officials and NATO commanders about the unusual event. A comprehensive investigation into the incident is underway.
This is the first time that a Russian military drone violates the Latvian airspace restrictions since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine about two years ago. In light of this, the Latvian Minister of Defense, Andris Sprudes, emphasized the importance of continuing efforts to strengthen the country’s eastern border, with an emphasis on developing air defense and electronic warfare capabilities.
On September 7, a Russian drone has fallen in Rēzekne region. Right now @Latvijas_armija and other responsible services continue to investigate the circumstances of the incident. According to primary data, it is a military drone of the Russian Federation. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/IYVoZftYww
— Minister of Defense (@AzzardzibasMin) September 8, 2024
The President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkevics, emphasized the need for a unified response to incidents involving Russian drones, saying that “the number of such incidents in NATO’s eastern flank is increasing.” In a message he published on the X network, Rinkvics confirmed that a Russian UAV crashed in Latvian territory yesterday and emphasized: “An investigation has been opened into the matter. We are working together with our allies.’
The Prime Minister of Estonia responded to the incident on his X account and wrote: “The penetration of the Russian drone into the airspace of a NATO member state is a blatant violation of international law.” Such actions threaten regional security and there will be no patience for them.’
The President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausda, also condemned the incident on the X network and wrote: “Lithuania condemns the violations of NATO airspace by Russia and stands by its allies who have been affected. The new incident in Latvia shows that we must strengthen the air defense of the Baltic states. The rotational air defense model must be implemented as agreed upon at the Vilnius summit!’
The Latvian Foreign Minister, Byeva Braja, announced that she had spoken with the Russian Embassy on this matter. Meanwhile, the Romanian Ministry of Defense announced this morning that the country is looking for possible remnants of a UAV after its national airspace was violated during a Russian nighttime attack on neighboring Ukraine, according to the Reuters news agency.