Unidentified flying object crosses Latvian border from Belarus

RIGA - On Tuesday morning at around 9 a.m. near the Latvian border, the Air Force detected an unidentified flying object approaching the Latvian-Belarusian border and crossing it in the territory of Kraslava Region, the Press Department of the Ministry of Defense informed LETA.

Fighter jets from the NATO airspace patrol mission at the Lielvarde Military Base were scrambled to survey the area. No suspicious objects were detected in Latvian airspace. The NATO air patrol aircraft have since returned to their bases.

The heads of the municipalities of the Latgale Planning Region have been informed of the situation.

However, LETA has not yet been able to find out whether the armed forces knows the location of the object.

The Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of the Interior call on residents to immediately report suspicious objects or activities on the Latvian border by calling 112.

As reported, the National Armed Forces have further reinforced their air defense capabilities on the eastern border by sending additional units to the border. Latvia continues to ensure the protection of the external borders of the European Union and NATO.

LETA also reported, on September 7, an Russian Shahed drone, carrying explosives and targeting Ukraine, came from Belarus into Latvia crashed in the Gaigalava municipality of Rezekne region.

The National Armed Forces (NBS) monitored the situation, but no decision was taken either to shoot down the drone or to scramble the NATO fighters on duty in Latvia. When the drone went down, the warhead that had not exploded was deactivated.

Following the incident, the Ministry of Defense has started consultations with allies that have recently experienced similar incidents. Wider consultations are also being initiated with NATO allies to seek collective solutions. The Ministry of Defense has also launched a review of the conduct of those responsible during the incident.