Riga, March 25: Latvia and Estonia reported on Wednesday that drones from Russia have entered their airspace. The National Armed Forces of Latvia (NBS) stated that its air force detected an unmanned aircraft crossing into Latvian airspace from Russia.
According to the statement, debris from the drone has been found at the site, but there have been no casualties reported.
The NBS posted on the social media platform ‘X’, stating, “The drone entered Latvian airspace and crashed. The air force has identified a foreign unmanned aircraft that came from Russia into Latvian airspace. Initial warning systems recorded an explosion-like sound in the Kraslava region. The National Armed Forces, state police, and state border guard units are present at the scene.”
The post further mentioned, “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 there was no damage to civilian infrastructure. The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. The Kraslava municipality has been informed of the incident.”
Meanwhile, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina indicated that initial information suggests a Ukrainian drone may have entered Latvian territory, and an investigation is ongoing.
Silina posted on ‘X’, stating, “I am in contact with the Defence Minister, National Armed Forces, and relevant services, as well as leaders from Estonia and Lithuania. The investigation is ongoing, but initial information suggests that a Ukrainian drone may have entered Latvian territory and crashed. No casualties have occurred.”
She added, “The Kraslava municipality has been promptly informed. On Thursday, I will be attending a meeting of JEF member countries to discuss how we can strengthen 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 Latvian territory. The Auvere Power Plant is located near the city of Narva in Estonia, close to the Russian border.
ISS Director General Margo Pallosen expressed concerns about the implications of these incidents, stating, “These are the effects of Russia’s large-scale aggressive war.”
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna posted on ‘X’, stating, “Tonight, a drone struck the chimney of the Auvere Power Plant in Estonia. There was no significant damage, and there was no impact on Estonia’s electricity system. This drone was not sent targeting Estonia; it is a direct result of Russia’s full-scale aggressive war.”
He further noted, “Drone incidents have occurred across Europe, including in Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Lithuania, and recently Latvia. We are strengthening our capabilities to address such incidents.”
Last September, regarding drone incidents in Denmark, the Russian embassy described Moscow’s involvement as “absurd” and stated that these allegations would be used as a pretext to escalate the Ukraine conflict.