Latvia Hands Russia Protest Note After Drones Enter Its Airspace

Latvia said several drones crossed from Russia into its airspace, with two reportedly crashing near Rēzekne and one sparking a fire at an oil storage facility. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Latvia’s Foreign Minister Baiba Braze at the Foreign Affairs Council, in Brussels on March 16, 2026. (Photo by NICOLAS TUCAT / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Latvia’s Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian Embassy’s chargé d’affaires and handed over a formal protest note after several drones entered Latvian airspace from Russia on May 7. According to Latvian authorities, the drones crossed into the country from Russian airspace and flew over the municipalities of Rēzekne, Balvi and Ludza in the eastern Latgale region. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . Two drones reportedly crashed near the city of Rēzekne. One hit an oil storage facility, damaging four empty fuel tanks and sparking a fire. Authorities issued mobile alerts to residents, closed all schools in Rēzekne and scrambled NATO Baltic air-policing jets in response. The Foreign Ministry stressed that Latvia had never granted permission for its airspace to be used to launch drone attacks against targets in Russia, rejecting public claims made by Moscow. “Drones entered from Russia, not the other way around,” Riga said. Latvia also condemned Russia’s public threats to launch a massive strike on Kyiv on May 9, including threats directed at foreign embassies in the Ukrainian capital. The ministry reiterated its demand that Russia end its aggression and withdraw troops from all internationally recognized territory of Ukraine. The incident comes amid heightened regional tensions ahead of Russia’s May 9 Victory Day celebrations. Earlier reports indicated that Moscow was preparing sweeping security measures over fears of potential strikes on the Kremlin, including internet shutdowns, restrictions on civilian aviation and disruptions to banking services. Other Topics of Interest Russia Says Talks Unlikely Without Ukraine Leaving Donbas Russia says it will not continue trilateral negotiations with the US and Ukraine unless Kyiv withdraws from parts of Donbas. Ukrainian officials dismissed the demand, calling it proof Moscow is not seeking peace. Talks with US partners continue on humanitarian and security issues as diplomatic efforts remain stalled. Latvia’s Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian Embassy’s chargé d’affaires and handed over a formal protest note after several drones entered Latvian airspace from Russia on May 7. According to Latvian authorities, the drones crossed into the country from Russian airspace and flew over the municipalities of Rēzekne, Balvi and Ludza in the eastern Latgale region. Two drones reportedly crashed near the city of Rēzekne. One hit an oil storage facility, damaging four empty fuel tanks and sparking a fire. Authorities issued mobile alerts to residents, closed all schools in Rēzekne and scrambled NATO Baltic air-policing jets in response. The Foreign Ministry stressed that Latvia had never granted permission for its airspace to be used to launch drone attacks against targets in Russia, rejecting public claims made by Moscow. “Drones entered from Russia, not the other way around,” Riga said. Latvia also condemned Russia’s public threats to launch a massive strike on Kyiv on May 9, including threats directed at foreign embassies in the Ukrainian capital. The ministry reiterated its demand that Russia end its aggression and withdraw troops from all internationally recognized territory of Ukraine. The incident comes amid heightened regional tensions ahead of Russia’s May 9 Victory Day celebrations. Earlier reports indicated that Moscow was preparing sweeping security measures over fears of potential strikes on the Kremlin, including internet shutdowns, restrictions on civilian aviation and disruptions to banking services. 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.