Latvia investigates drones that entered from Russia and crashed near oil tanks
Latvia is investigating two drones that entered its airspace from Russian territory overnight and crashed in the eastern part of the country near an empty oil storage facility.
Officials said four empty oil tanks were reported damaged, with minor smouldering seen in one of them.
A local public broadcaster also captured a drone flying in the area on camera.
Prime minister Evika Siliņa convened a crisis management meeting for 10:00 local time and said she was in constant communication with relevant ministers and state institutions.
She said she expected reports from the responsible ministers once the incident was concluded.
The case matters because it adds to concerns about cross-border airspace breaches in the region while Russia's war in Ukraine continues.
Latvian officials said such incidents remain possible when foreign unmanned aircraft enter or approach Latvian airspace.
The investigation is still at an early stage, and officials have not confirmed whether the drones were Russian or Ukrainian.
Defence minister Andris Sprūds said they might have been Ukrainian units that lost their way because of signal jamming.
The Latvian army said the recurrence of such incidents was possible as long as Russia's aggression in Ukraine continued.
It also said the air warning in the country had now been lifted.
Some flight restrictions remain in place, but officials have not said how long they will last.
