Belarus Latvia: Unidentified flying object crosses border

SDA

17.9.2024 - 14:02

ARCHIVE - "Stop - state border" is written in three languages on the border between Latvia and Belarus. Photo: Alexander Welscher/dpa
ARCHIVE - "Stop - state border" is written in three languages on the border between Latvia and Belarus. Photo: Alexander Welscher/dpa
Keystone

An unknown flying object has once again violated airspace in Latvia. According to the army of the Baltic EU and NATO state, the unspecified object approached the border from neighboring Belarus and crossed it in the eastern Kraslava region.

NATO interceptors stationed at the Lielvarde base were therefore deployed to monitor the airspace. However, they were unable to locate any suspicious objects in Latvian airspace, according to the Ministry of Defense in Riga.

The Latvian authorities called on residents to report suspicious objects or activities at the border immediately. Latvia, like its neighbors Estonia and Lithuania, does not have its own fighter jets. The NATO allies have therefore been taking turns securing the Baltic airspace since 2004. The mission is currently also being carried out by the German Armed Forces, which has stationed several Eurofighters in Lielvarde for this purpose.

Second incident within a short space of time

In Latvia, a Russian drone had previously flown into Latvia via Belarus on 7 September and crashed near Gaigalava close to the town of Rezekne - around 90 kilometers from the border as the crow flies. According to the Latvian army, it was equipped with an explosive device, which was defused after it was found.

SDA