Latvia has confirmed that two uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAV) from Russia entered the country’s airspace and crashed within Latvian territory on 7 May 2026.
According to the Ministry of Defence, air surveillance radars identified the drones entering from Russia over the municipalities of Balvi and Ludza.
Officials also reported a third UAV that crossed into the country’s airspace and later left it.
Nato Baltic Air Policing aircraft were deployed to patrol Latvia’s eastern border in immediate response.
The aircraft operated under “established operational procedures” requiring visual identification and guarantees that any action would not endanger civilians or public safety before engagement.
On the ground, the National Armed Forces requested cell broadcast alerts to be sent to residents in Ludza and Balvi, with later alerts issued in Rēzekne municipality.
During this period, the State Fire and Rescue Service received several reports of a fire at an oil storage facility in Rēzekne.
Debris from a drone was located at the oil facility, while authorities continue to search for the second UAV’s potential crash site.
The incident is under investigation by the National Armed Forces and the State Police. Criminal proceedings have also started under Chapter 10 of the Criminal Law, the statement said.
The National Armed Forces stated that they cannot confirm the origin of the drones until the investigation concludes.
However, Latvia’s Defence Minister, Andris Spruds, told reporters that the drones were probably launched by Ukraine against Russian targets and fell by accident on the wrong side of the frontier.
Meanwhile, authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and to rely solely on official sources for information, cautioning against the spread of speculation or unrelated videos on social media.
They also advise the public not to approach any drones or debris, and to report any suspicious objects to the authorities.
Amid these developments, Andris Spruds stated that he takes responsibility for the incident and is prepared to resign if the Saeima, the parliament of the Republic of Latvia, decides he should do so.
