Latvia scrambles fighter jets over airspace threat near Russian border
Photo: Latvia scrambled fighter jets due to a threat in its airspace along the border with Russia (Getty Images)
On the night of May 9, the Latvian National Armed Forces reported a possible threat in the airspace along the border with Russia. To conduct patrols, the military scrambled NATO fighter jets and reinforced the air defense capabilities, according to the Latvian Armed Forces.
At 1:41 a.m., the Armed Forces of Latvia reported a possible air threat in Latvian airspace in the Rēzekne and Ludza districts.
The Latvian military, together with NATO allies, is constantly monitoring the airspace to ensure the ability to respond immediately to a potential threat.
"The National Armed Forces have strengthened air defense capabilities on the eastern border by deploying additional units. As long as Russia's aggression in Ukraine continues, a recurrence of such incidents—where a foreign unmanned aerial vehicle enters or approaches Latvia's airspace—is possible," the statement says.
At 2 a.m., the Armed Forces of Latvia reported the activation of an air mission to patrol the airspace.
Just one hour later, the Armed Forces reported that the potential threat in Latvian airspace had ceased.
On May 7, several drones flew from Russian airspace into Latvian territory, specifically into the municipalities of Rēzekne, Balvi, and Ludza. The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the chargé d’affaires of the Russian Embassy and handed over a note of protest.
Riga emphasized that Latvia has never granted permission to use its airspace to launch drones at targets in Russia.
The drones flew in from Russia, not the other way around, contrary to Moscow’s public claims.
