Latvian government press releases, international news agencies

Russian Drone Crashes in Latvia's Rezekne Region for First Time, Investigation Underway

Sep 8, 2024, 04:02 PM

A Russian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), possibly a Shahed 131/136 long-range drone, crashed in Latvia's Rezekne region on September 7 at about six in the morning. The incident, which marks the first such occurrence in Latvia, is under investigation by Latvian authorities, including the State Police. Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics confirmed the crash and stated that there is an ongoing investigation. The crash highlights the need for NATO to take a more proactive role in defending its airspace, as Latvia is a NATO member state. The Latvian Defense Ministry also confirmed the crash.