Two drones from Russia crash in Latvia with one causing oil depot fire, army says

Published on 07/05/2026 - 10:44 GMT+2

Several drones entered Latvian airspace from Russia overnight, with 2 of them crashing and 1 causing a little occurrence astatine an lipid depot, the service said connected Thursday.

"Several unmanned aerial vehicles entered Latvian airspace" the service of the EU and NATO subordinate bordering Russia said successful a statement, adding that 2 of them "crashed."

One of the drones crashed astatine an lipid retention tract successful Rezekne, successful the eastbound of the country, the nationalist constabulary said. A occurrence broke retired but was rapidly brought nether power by firefighters.

"As agelong arsenic Russian aggression against Ukraine continues, it is imaginable that specified incidents volition beryllium repeated, erstwhile a overseas unmanned craft enters Latvian airspace oregon approaches it," the service said.

It was not instantly wide wherever the drones originated.

Drones believed to beryllium from Russia deed Latvia and neighbouring Estonia successful March.

One drone "struck the chimney of the Auvere powerfulness plant" successful Estonia, the country's interior information ISS said successful a statement, portion different fell connected Latvian territory.

"These are the effects of Russia’s large-scale warfare of aggression," said ISS Director General Margo Palloson, expressing interest astir "the occurrence of specified incidents successful the future."

High alert

Europe arsenic a full is connected precocious alert aft drone flyovers into NATO airspace reached an unprecedented standard past September, prompting European leaders to hold to make a "drone wall" on their borders to amended detect, way and intercept drones violating Europe's airspace.

In November, NATO subject officials said a caller US anti-drone strategy had been deployed to the alliance’s eastbound flank.

And pursuing a usurpation of Polish airspace, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced the enactment of the Eastern Sentry programme, which aims to deter further Russian incursions.

Some European officials described the incidents arsenic Moscow investigating NATO’s response, which raised questions astir however prepared the confederation is against imaginable threats from Russia.

The Kremlin has dismissed allegations that Russia is down immoderate of the unidentified drone flights successful Europe arsenic "unfounded."