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Latvia Protests Drone Incursion, Summons Russian Envoy

The dispute underscores the risk of spillover from the Russia–Ukraine war into Baltic airspace.

Overview

  • Latvia reported several drone crashes in the eastern municipalities of Rēzekne, Balvi and Ludza, including one that briefly set an oil storage site on fire.
  • The foreign ministry said the aircraft entered from Russian airspace and delivered a formal protest to the Russian chargé d’affaires.
  • Moscow alleged Ukraine used Latvian airspace to attack St. Petersburg, a claim Latvia publicly rejected.
  • Latvia’s defense minister said the drones were likely Ukrainian and heading toward Russian targets.
  • Riga said Russia’s war is driving spillover risks across the region and condemned public threats to strike Kyiv and foreign embassies.