Two unidentified drones entered Latvian airspace early Thursday morning before crashing in the eastern part of the country near the Russian border, prompting an emergency response from security services and local authorities.
The incident occurred in the Latgale region, where residents were awakened by air raid-style alerts shortly after 4 a.m. Authorities advised people in several border municipalities to remain indoors while emergency services and military personnel secured the area.
According to preliminary information, at least one drone crashed near an oil storage facility close to Rēzekne, damaging several empty fuel tanks and causing a small fire. Firefighters quickly contained the blaze, and no casualties were reported.
Latvian defence officials said the drones are believed to have entered the country from Russian territory. Initial assessments suggest they may have been military drones involved in the ongoing war in Ukraine that lost navigation or were affected by electronic interference systems operating in the region.
NATO air policing aircraft were reportedly deployed as part of the response, while Latvia’s government convened emergency consultations following the incident. Security agencies are continuing to investigate the origin and flight path of the drones.
The situation also led to temporary disruptions in daily life across parts of eastern Latvia. Several schools in Rēzekne and nearby municipalities suspended in-person classes as a precautionary measure.
This is not the first time foreign drones have crossed into Latvian airspace in recent months. Similar incidents involving unmanned aircraft have previously been recorded in Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania amid increased military activity near NATO’s eastern border.
Latvian officials have repeatedly stressed that the country’s territory and airspace are not being used for attacks against neighboring states, while warning that the risks linked to the regional security situation continue to grow.
Authorities are expected to provide additional details later today as investigators examine debris recovered from the crash sites.
