Fighter jets of the NATO Airspace Patrol Mission from the Lielvārde military base, which carried out a survey of the relevant area, were lifted into the air. No suspicious objects were detected in Latvian airspace. NATO airspace patrol aircraft have returned to their deployment.
The heads of municipalities of the Latgale planning region have been informed about the incident.
However, the LETA agency failed to find out whether the army knows the future location of the object.
The Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of the Interior invite citizens to immediately report suspicious objects or activities on the border of Latvia by calling the telephone number 112.
It has already been reported that the National Armed Forces have additionally strengthened 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.
As reported, on September 7, a Russian “Shahed” type drone fell in Gaigalava parish of Rēzekne region. The Latvian National Armed Forces monitored the situation, but no decision was made either to shoot down this drone or to take the NATO fighter jets on duty in Latvia into the air, which earned criticism from some of the public. When the drone fell, the warhead that had not exploded initially was deactivated.
Following the incident, the Ministry of Defense has started consultations with allies who have recently faced similar incidents. Wider consultations are also being initiated to seek collective solutions together with NATO allies. The Ministry of Defense has also started an evaluation of the actions of the responsible persons during the incident.
2024-09-19 03:38:14