Nato jets were scrambled to Latvia after two drones entered from Russian territory and crashed into an oil storage facility, the Latvian army said on Thursday. The drones were likely launched by Ukraine against targets in Russia, according to Defence Minister Andris Spruds.
Four empty oil tanks were damaged at the facility in Rezekne, about 40km from the Russian border. Police and firefighters found possible debris from a crashed drone at the site. The multinational Nato Baltic air police mission dispatched jets to the area.
The incident comes as Russia threatened to strike foreign embassies in Kyiv if Ukraine disrupts Moscow's Victory Day commemorations. Russia had earlier vowed mass attacks on Kyiv if Ukraine did not adhere to a unilateral ceasefire covering 8 and 9 May.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia's continued attacks were an 'obvious spurning' of a peace offer. Ukraine had proposed a ceasefire starting on 6 May, but accused Russia of flouting it with dozens of assaults. Zelensky stated Russia committed 1,820 violations by late morning on Wednesday.
Russia warned diplomatic missions to evacuate staff from Kyiv, saying it would carry out a mass strike if Ukraine tried to disrupt Victory Day events. Foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova urged countries to treat the statement with 'utmost responsibility'.
