Drone entering Latvia from Russia may have crashed into oil facility
A drone that entered Latvian airspace from Russia may have crashed into an oil storage facility in eastern Latvia, according to officials and local media reports. No injuries have been reported.
The incident happened early Thursday in the Latgale region, near Latvia’s eastern border with Russia and Belarus. Latvia’s armed forces said its air force identified drones entering Latvian airspace from Russia, and that two drones had fallen inside Latvian territory.
One possible crash site was reported in Rēzekne, where police were called at about 3:30 a.m. to an oil storage facility after smoke was seen in the area, according to Latvian public broadcaster LTV.
Latvia’s fire and rescue service said multiple calls were made about a possible fire at the oil storage site. When firefighters arrived, there was no open burning, but crews worked to cool one tank.
Officials checked the oil tanks with a thermal camera and found no elevated temperatures, according to the fire service. Police sealed off the affected area while emergency crews continued working at the scene.
Māris Tutins, a spokesperson for Latvia’s armed forces, told Latvian Radio that the military had several indications overnight that drones could enter Latvian airspace, and those indications were later confirmed.
The armed forces activated mobile air defense groups, and the Baltic air policing mission was also activated, according to Tutins. Latvia’s military said additional units were being sent to strengthen air defense along the eastern border.
Latvian officials issued cell broadcast warnings at 4:09 a.m. for Ludza and Balvi municipalities and at 4:43 a.m. for Rēzekne municipality, according to LTV. The threat warning remained in effect at 6:30 a.m.
Residents were told to seek shelter indoors, close windows and doors, and avoid approaching any low-flying, suspicious or dangerous object.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
