Drone incidents are a consequence of Russia's aggression against Ukraine - Rinkevics

RIGA - Drone incidents in Latgale are a consequence of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, President Edgars Rinkevics believes.

The president on Thursday contacted Rezekne Mayor Janis Tutinas (Together for Latvia/LPV) and the Chairman of the Rezekne Municipal Council, Guntars Skudra (New Unity), regarding the incidents.

The president thanked the local governments and responsible authorities for their response to this situation. "Unfortunately, this is a direct consequence of Russia's aggression against Ukraine," Rinkevics noted.

The president also called on all residents to follow instructions of the relevant services.

As LETA reported, several unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, flew into Latvian airspace from Russia in the early hours of Thursday, and at least one of them crashed in Rezekne, damaging an oil storage facility.

At the request of the National Armed Forces (NAF), a cell broadcast notification was sent out by the State Fire and Rescue Service to residents of the municipalities of Ludza, Balvi, and Rezekne.

Even after sunrise, drones could be seen and heard in the air over Rezekne, eyewitnesses reported. Residents also reported noises similar to fighter jets.

Defense Minister Andris Spruds (Progressives) said in an interview with Latvian Television that the Latvian National Armed Forces (NAF), together with NATO allies, were exercising maximum control over Latvian airspace. NATO fighter jets were also in the air, the minister added.

The NAF notes that while Russian aggression in Ukraine is ongoing, there is a risk of recurrence of incidents of foreign drones entering or approaching Latvian airspace.