The traces of the drone that flew into Latvia from Belarus on Thursday morning have disappeared in the Kraslava region, and its further fate is currently unknown, the National Armed Forces (NAF) reported to the LETA agency. It is likely missing...
The drone was last detected by technical means in the airspace of Latvia in the Kraslava region, where its traces subsequently vanished. Currently, there is no confirmation that the drone crashed in an uninhabited area.
NATO fighter jets, which were scrambled on Thursday morning, were unable to visually identify the drone.
The National Armed Forces (NAF) decided not to extend the warning about a potential threat to the airspace in the regions of Latgale, as there are no signs of the drone being in the air.
The NAF emphasizes that it is difficult to verify the authenticity of the videos posted by residents on social media featuring the drone.
On the ground, the NAF is currently not conducting search operations for the drone but is in contact with other services.
As reported by Bb.lv, on Thursday morning, a foreign drone flew into the territory of Latvia from Belarus. In connection with this, a warning about a potential threat to the airspace was issued on Thursday morning in the Ludza, Rezekne, Kraslava, and Augsdaugava regions, as well as in Rezekne and Daugavpils.
The drone was also spotted flying over the territory of the Kraslava region.
As is customary in such cases, NATO fighter jets were scrambled to patrol the Baltic airspace.
The NAF, together with NATO allies, is continuously monitoring the airspace to respond immediately to potential threats, the NAF states. The army has previously strengthened air defense capabilities on the eastern border by sending additional units there.
On Wednesday and Tuesday, residents in several regions of Latvia, including Latgale and Vidzeme, also received mobile alerts about a potential threat to the airspace, with some areas in Latgale receiving alerts twice on Tuesday - around noon and in the evening. In none of these cases was a drone detected in Latvia.
There has been a discussion in society, as well as among officials, about whether and how to improve the algorithms for action in cases of such regular alerts, as they significantly complicate public and economic life in the regions.
Meanwhile, a NATO air patrol mission fighter jet shot down a drone over Estonia on Tuesday.
Similar mobile alerts have been received by residents of Latgale in recent months, related to the approach or intrusion of drones into the airspace of Latvia, likely involved in the Russian-Ukrainian war. Several times, such drones have also exploded on Latvian territory, including on May 7 at a rarely used oil depot in Rezekne.
People, apart from the government, have not been harmed in such incidents so far, but the latest case in Rezekne led first to the resignation of the Minister of Defense and then to the resignation of the entire government led by Evika Silina (New Unity). Negotiations are currently underway to form a new government. Until it is approved, the Cabinet of Ministers continues to operate under Silina's leadership.
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