EU Country Bolsters Air Defense Following Alleged Russian Drone Incursion
Latvia has implemented further security protocols following its assertion that an armed Russian military drone crashed on its territory over the weekend. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Latvia has accused Moscow of airspace violation after a military drone crashed on its territory over the weekend. The incident involved a UAV loaded with explosives that came down in the Rezekne Region of Latvia, described by the Latvian military as a Russian 'Shahed' drone that entered from Belarus. Despite Belarus's close ties with Russia, it is not directly involved in the conflict in Ukraine.
Colonel Viesturs Masulis, the chief of Latvia's National Air Force, informed reporters on Monday about the crash and the decision to beef up security measures along the nation's eastern border. "The Latvian military, confirming the UAV's origins, stated that it was not intercepted by air defenses, landing instead in a sparsely populated area without its warhead detonating.
"The incident should not be seen as open military escalation," stated NAF commander Lieutenant General Leonids Kalnins, highlighting that Latvia was not the intended target of the drone. He also noted the military's shortage of electronic warfare systems capable of effectively combating such drones and mentioned the anticipation of enhanced air defense systems from NATO allies.
In response to the airspace breach, Latvia's Defense Minister Andris Spruds is planning to discuss air defense improvements and the efficiency of air patrols at a NATO level. Colonel Masulis announced the deployment of additional military units to the eastern border to further fortify the region's air defense.
Following the incident, Latvia's Foreign Ministry called in Russia's temporary charge d'affaires Dmitry Kasatkin to express their objections and seek clarifications from Moscow. Latvian media reported Kasatkin's commitment to relay the details to the Russian Foreign Ministry. Response from Moscow regarding the incident is still awaited.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
Colonel Viesturs Masulis, the chief of Latvia's National Air Force, informed reporters on Monday about the crash and the decision to beef up security measures along the nation's eastern border. "The Latvian military, confirming the UAV's origins, stated that it was not intercepted by air defenses, landing instead in a sparsely populated area without its warhead detonating.
"The incident should not be seen as open military escalation," stated NAF commander Lieutenant General Leonids Kalnins, highlighting that Latvia was not the intended target of the drone. He also noted the military's shortage of electronic warfare systems capable of effectively combating such drones and mentioned the anticipation of enhanced air defense systems from NATO allies.
In response to the airspace breach, Latvia's Defense Minister Andris Spruds is planning to discuss air defense improvements and the efficiency of air patrols at a NATO level. Colonel Masulis announced the deployment of additional military units to the eastern border to further fortify the region's air defense.
Following the incident, Latvia's Foreign Ministry called in Russia's temporary charge d'affaires Dmitry Kasatkin to express their objections and seek clarifications from Moscow. Latvian media reported Kasatkin's commitment to relay the details to the Russian Foreign Ministry. Response from Moscow regarding the incident is still awaited.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
