Two foreign drones crashed in eastern Latvia’s Latgale region early this morning, with one reportedly striking an oil depot in Rēzekne, prompting emergency airspace warnings.
Airspace Violations in Latgale
The Latvian Armed Forces reported that two unmanned aerial vehicles crashed in the eastern Latgale region early this morning. Authorities issued airspace warnings for the Balvi, Ludza, and Rēzekne districts, advising residents to seek shelter and secure their homes.
Impact on Oil Infrastructure
Two foreign drones entered Latvian airspace from Russia, though officials noted this does not definitively confirm they belonged to Moscow. One drone reportedly struck an oil depot on Komunal Street in Rēzekne, where smoke was observed around 03:30 local time.
While the crash site has been identified as the location of the incident, the State Fire and Rescue Service reported that thermal imaging of the oil tanks showed no elevated temperatures.
Increased Border Defenses
Maris Tutins of the National Armed Forces confirmed that air defense units and Baltic airspace patrol groups were deployed following several signals of airspace violations. This incident follows recent warnings in the region involving drones linked to the conflict in Ukraine.
In response to these recurring threats, the military has reinforced air defenses along the eastern border by deploying additional units to the area.
