Riga, March 25: Latvia and Estonia reported on Wednesday that drones from Russia entered their airspace. The Latvian National Armed Forces (NBS) confirmed that its air force detected an unmanned aerial vehicle crossing into Latvian airspace from Russia.
According to the statement, debris from the drone was found at the incident site, but no casualties occurred.
The NBS posted on the social media platform ‘X’, stating, “The drone crashed after entering Latvian airspace. The air force identified a foreign unmanned aircraft that came from Russia. Initial warning systems recorded an explosion-like sound in the Kraslava region. National Armed Forces, state police, and border guard units are present at the scene.”
The post further noted, “Debris from the drone has been found at the site. No additional threat to civilian safety or Latvian airspace has been identified. No civilians were injured, and no damage to civilian infrastructure occurred. An investigation into the circumstances of the incident is ongoing. The Kraslava municipality has been informed.”
Meanwhile, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina indicated that initial information suggests a Ukrainian drone may have entered Latvian territory, and an investigation is underway.
Silina stated on the social media platform ‘X’, “I am in contact with the defense minister, National Armed Forces, and relevant services, as well as leaders from Estonia and Lithuania. The investigation is ongoing, but initial information suggests a Ukrainian drone may have entered Latvian territory and crashed. No casualties have been reported.”
She added, “The Kraslava municipality has been promptly informed. On Thursday, I will attend a meeting of JEF member states to discuss how we can enhance our security and support our friends in Ukraine.”
Estonia’s Internal Security Agency (ISS) reported that one drone struck the chimney of the Auvere power plant in Estonia, while another fell in Latvia. The Auvere power plant is located near Narva, close to the Russian border.
ISS Director General Margus Palloson expressed concern over the implications of these incidents, stating, “These are the effects of Russia’s large-scale aggressive war.” He raised worries about the potential for similar occurrences in the future.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna mentioned on the social media platform ‘X’, “Last night, a drone struck the chimney of the Auvere power plant in Estonia. There was no significant damage, and the Estonian power system was unaffected. This drone was not sent targeting Estonia; it is a direct result of Russia’s full-scale aggressive war.”
He continued, “Drone incidents have occurred across Europe, including Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Lithuania, and recently Latvia. We are strengthening our capabilities to address such incidents.”
Last September, the Russian embassy dismissed claims of Moscow’s involvement in drone incidents in Denmark as “absurd,” asserting that these allegations would be used as a pretext to escalate the Ukraine conflict.
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