Two NATO states have recorded violations of their airspace by suspected Russian drones, causing consternation in eastern Europe.
The Latvian Defence Ministry on Sunday said it was investigating an incident that saw a suspected Russian drone crash into the eastern city of Rēzekne.
“But preliminary data indicate that it is a military UAV of the Russian Federation, and, according to the information available to the National Armed Forces, it flew into our airspace from Belarus,” a statement from the National Armed Forces reported. A UAV is an unmanned aerial vehicle, commonly known as a drone.
Ukraine has reported a number of Russian drones entering Belarusian airspace in recent months, while Belarus has repeatedly complained of violations of its airspace.
“This situation is a confirmation that we need to continue the work we have started to strengthen Latvia’s eastern border, including the development of air defence capabilities and electronic warfare capabilities” said Latvian Defence Minister Andris Sprūds.
Latvia is one of a number of NATO countries to have increased defence spending since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Also on Sunday, the Romanian Defence Ministry said a Russian drone briefly flew over its territory before re-entering Ukrainian airspace.
Bucharest sent text messages warning residents of the border towns of Constanta and Tulcea as Romanian F-16 fighter jets took off to observe the drone’s flight.
The military also initiated a search for possible debris near the border town of Periprava.
“NATO condemns the overnight Russian airspace violation into Romanian airspace. While we have no information indicating an intentional attack by Russia against Allies, these acts are irresponsible and potentially dangerous,” said NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană, who is himself Romanian.
