There is no basis for claiming that Latvia is more at risk than before - LATO general secretary

RIGA - There is no basis for claiming that Latvia is more at risk than before, Sigita Struberga, General Secretary of the Latvian Transatlantic Organization (LATO), told Latvian Television this morning.

She explained that the possible approach of a drone to Latvian territory on Tuesday has not changed Latvia’s security situation, and Latvian residents have been warned that such incidents may occur.

Most likely, we will see such incidents in the future as well, she predicted. "Given the situation in Russian territory - we see that the Ukrainians are quite successfully attacking Russian energy facilities, which is crucial for Ukraine in its fight against the aggressor. We also see activities taking place in Belarusian territory," she explained.

As reported, on Monday evening, a foreign unmanned aerial vehicle approached Latvian airspace from the Russian side but then flew away, thus ending the threat, according to the National Armed Forces (NBS).

On Monday evening, the Latvian military detected a foreign unmanned aerial vehicle near the Latvian-Russian border, in the vicinity of the Ludza and Balvi municipalities. Cell broadcast alerts were activated to promptly inform residents in the affected regions.

The aircraft did not enter Latvian airspace. As it moved away from the Latvian border, a message was sent via cell broadcast announcing the end of the threat.

The NBS continues to monitor the situation and is ready to respond.

Several residents of Balvi Municipality confirmed to LETA that they had received cell broadcast alerts on their mobile phones regarding both the threat and its end.

LETA also reported, drones entered and exploded in all three Baltic states last week. Most likely, while Ukraine was defending itself against Russian aggression, these drones were aimed at targets in Russia but veered off course or were diverted from their path by electronic warfare jamming methods.

A drone entered Latvian airspace from Russia on the night to Wednesday and exploded in the Kraslava Municipality, approximately one kilometer from the center of the Svarini County, while another briefly entered from Belarusian territory and then headed toward Russia.