On Sunday, May 17, around 6 AM, the National Armed Forces of Latvia (NBS) reported a potential airspace threat due to an unidentified drone near the Russian border, specifically in the Kraslava, Ludza, and Rezekne regions.
The NBS issued a statement on social media, indicating that they had bolstered air defense measures along the eastern border by deploying additional units. They emphasized ongoing monitoring of the airspace in collaboration with NATO allies to ensure readiness against potential threats.
“As long as Russia’s aggression against Ukraine continues, incidents involving foreign drones entering or approaching Latvia’s airspace are likely,” the statement read.
By approximately 8 AM, the Latvian military announced that the air threat affecting the Aluksne, Balvi, Kraslava, Ludza, and Rezekne regions had been neutralized.
Officials confirmed that a single drone had entered Latvian airspace but subsequently left the area. NATO air policing mission fighter jets were deployed in response to the incident.
This incident follows a similar occurrence on the night of May 7, when unidentified drones breached Latvian airspace from Russia. The country’s air forces reported that two drones crashed, one landing at a local East-West Transit facility and striking an empty oil tank.
In response to the drone incidents, Latvia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the temporary charge d’affaires from Russia to deliver a note of protest condemning the drone incursions.
Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds took responsibility for the failure to intercept the drones and acknowledged he would respect any decision made by the Saeima regarding his potential resignation.
Drones in the Baltics
On March 23, a drone, likely from Belarus, entered Lithuania and exploded over Lake Lavisas, more than 20 kilometers from the border. Lithuanian radar systems did not detect it.
The Lithuanian Ministry of Defense suggested it might have been a Ukrainian drone aimed at targets in Russia but deviated from its course due to electronic warfare.
Later, the Lithuanian Prime Minister confirmed that it was indeed a Ukrainian drone, likely one targeting Primorsk near St. Petersburg.
On March 25, an unidentified drone from Russia crashed and exploded in Latvia, discovered by Latvian military personnel. Meanwhile, in Estonia, a drone that had veered off course crashed into a chimney of a power plant in Auvere on the same night.
On April 6, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova claimed that the Baltic states had “received appropriate warnings” following Moscow’s assertions that Kyiv’s allies were allegedly using their airspace to strike Russian ports in the Baltic Sea.
“If the regimes of these countries have enough common sense, they will listen. If not, they will have to deal with the consequences,” Zakharova stated.
The European Union responded to Russian threats against the Baltic states, asserting that “violations of the airspace of any member state constitute an attack on the EU as a whole.”
Latvian authorities reported a drone incursion from Russia, prompting enhanced air defense measures. The situation was resolved within hours, continuing a pattern of drone activity in the region amid ongoing tensions.