Latvia's armed forces confirmed on Thursday that at least one unmanned aircraft was flying in the country's airspace, prompting NATO fighter jets to scramble in response. This incident marks the latest in a series of security breaches in the Baltic region, where Ukrainian military drones have increasingly strayed into NATO member airspace.
Residents Advised to Take Shelter
The Latvian Armed Forces issued a statement on social media platform X, urging residents in eastern Latvia, near the borders with Russia and Belarus, to seek shelter indoors until further notice. The government of Latvia resigned last week over its handling of previous drone incursions, and negotiations are ongoing to form a new cabinet.
Previous Incidents in the Region
On Tuesday, a NATO fighter jet shot down a suspected Ukrainian drone over neighbouring Estonia. A similar violation in Lithuania on Wednesday forced the suspension of air traffic to its capital and prompted lawmakers to take refuge underground. The Baltic states, all strong supporters of Ukraine, have accused Moscow of redirecting Ukrainian drones from their intended targets in Russia, though they have not provided evidence for these claims.
Ukraine has intensified its long-range drone attacks on Russia, including via the Baltic Sea, leading to several drones entering the airspace of Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. The Kremlin stated on Wednesday that it is monitoring the situation and has previously accused the Baltic states of allowing Ukraine to launch drones from their territory—a claim strongly denied by both the Baltic nations and NATO.
International Reactions
Poland's defence minister remarked on Thursday that Ukraine must exercise extreme precision when deploying drones to prevent Russia from interfering with their flight paths. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared on Wednesday that Russian threats against the Baltic countries are 'unacceptable' and would be considered threats against the entire European Union.
