Drones Enter Latvia From Russian Territory, Two Crash, Triggering Emergency Response

Several drones entered Latvian airspace from Russian territory early Thursday, with two crashing in the eastern city of Rēzekne, prompting an emergency response from Latvia’s armed forces, police, and rescue services. One drone struck an empty oil storage tank, while the second crash site is still being located. Authorities issued airspace alerts across multiple regions and urged residents to remain indoors. No casualties were reported, and the situation was later brought under control. The incident comes as Russia reported a massive overnight drone assault, claiming it intercepted 347 Ukrainian drones across multiple regions, including near Moscow and other key areas. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied A Latvian border post is seen at a section of the newly erected fence, near the border to Russia in Karsava, Latvia on June 18, 2024, during a visit of the Latvian President. (Photo by Gints Ivuskans / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Several drones entered Latvian airspace from the direction of Russian territory early Thursday, with two of them crashing, according to Latvia’s National Armed Forces (NBS). The incident triggered an emergency response involving the armed forces, State Police, and the State Fire and Rescue Service. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . Around 03:30, emergency services received multiple calls to the 112 hotline reporting a possible fire at an oil depot on Komunala Street in the eastern city of Rēzekne. Firefighters later confirmed there was no active blaze but carried out precautionary cooling of a storage tank. According to Delfi , citing local emergency services, at 04:09, the armed forces issued emergency alerts for residents in Ludza, Balvi, and Rēzekne municipalities, warning of a possible airspace threat. A second alert followed shortly afterward for Rēzekne. Residents reported hearing loud engine-like sounds overhead during the night, as well as flashes of light and explosion-like noises. Authorities later confirmed that one of the drones crashed at the Rēzekne branch of East-West Transit Ltd., striking an empty oil storage tank. The location of the second crash is still being determined. Local officials said emergency services also responded to reports of a possible explosion near an area close to a railway line and a Maxima supermarket. Deputy State Police Chief Andris Zellis confirmed the incident is being treated as a criminal case, while searches continue for debris from the second drone. He added that the situation at the site had been stabilized and there was no ongoing threat. Other Topics of Interest A Cornered Rat Before Its Last Jump Putin’s mystique has often been associated with the behavior of a cornered rat. Now it seems that rat is lashing out at a new iteration of NATO – one it had not foreseen. Residents were urged to stay indoors during the alert, keep windows and doors closed, and avoid approaching any low-flying or suspicious objects. The incident comes as Russia reported one of the largest drone attacks of the war overnight, claiming its air defenses intercepted 347 Ukrainian UAVs across multiple regions. Russian authorities said the barrage included strikes on a military logistics facility near Moscow, with explosions and air defense activity reported in several regions including the capital’s outskirts, Bryansk, Tver, Rostov, Samara, and Tula. Russia’s Defense Ministry said drones were detected over 20 regions as well as occupied Crimea and the Black, Azov, and Caspian seas, while civil aviation was heavily disrupted with dozens of airports temporarily restricted. The Kremlin has not confirmed damage to military infrastructure, but officials acknowledged widespread air defense activity during what appears to be one of the most extensive coordinated drone assaults in recent months. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization since 1995. Its international market reach of 97% outside of Ukraine makes it truly Ukraine’s Global – and most reliable – Voice.