Russian drone that crashed in Latvia was equipped with explosives

Representatives of the Latvian National Armed Forces said at a briefing on Monday, 9 September, that the drone found in the east of the country the day before contained explosives and was used to attack Ukraine.

This was reported by Yevropeiska Pravda with reference to LSM.lv.

The commander of the Latvian army, Lieutenant General Leonids Kalniņš, said that a Shahed drone, which Russia uses to attack Ukraine and which flew in from Belarus, had crashed in the east of the country.

Colonel Viesturs Masiulis, commander of the Latvian Air Force, said that the drone was equipped with an explosive device, which was destroyed on the ground after the drone crashed. According to Kalniņš, after analysing and monitoring the situation, it was concluded that the drone was not aimed at Latvia. An investigation is underway to establish the circumstances of the drone's crash - whether it was damaged or fell on its own.

The Latvian army commander also stressed that the Latvian side had noticed the arrival of the drone, but did not elaborate on what decisions had been made in this regard.

Author - Olena Madiak, 09/09/2024