Latvian forces deployed a Blaze interceptor to track an unidentified drone that entered the country’s airspace from Belarus on November 1, before activating the interceptor’s self-destruct mechanism to prevent it from crossing into Russian territory, public broadcaster LSM reported. The unidentified aircraft entered the Krāslava region at approximately 7 p.m. and continued flying towards the Russian border. Latvian forces monitored its movement until it crossed into Russia through the Ludza district at 7.16 p.m. Three minutes later, the military destroyed the interceptor to prevent a potential violation of Russian airspace. However, the unidentified drone itself was not shot down. Before the incident, authorities issued an orange mobile alert for the Krāslava and Ludza districts at 6.59 p.m., advising residents to move indoors and shelter behind at least two walls. The warning, which represents Latvia’s higher of two mobile alert levels, was lifted at 7.30 p.m. The drone’s origin and mission remain unknown, although a Latvian military spokesperson suggested that it could have been Ukrainian, while emphasizing that this possibility had not been confirmed. The incident follows several drone incursions into Latvian airspace during Russia’s war against Ukraine. Latvian authorities have previously attributed some incidents to Ukrainian drones diverted from their intended routes by Russian electronic warfare systems. In August, NATO fighter aircraft shot down a drone over the Balvi region that was subsequently identified by Latvian authorities as Ukrainian. In response to increasing incursions, Latvia announced plans in July to deploy automated counter-drone systems along its entire eastern border after identifying shortcomings in early warning coverage and the military’s ability to detect and intercept unmanned aircraft. Defence Minister Raivis Melnis said greater automation would reduce the number of personnel required for border surveillance and protection. Earlier, in June, French fighters participating in NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission also destroyed a drone that had entered Latvian airspace, following additional incursions and crashes reported in May.
