Latvia deploys interceptor drone against unidentified aircraft entering from Belarus
Latvia deployed a domestically developed interceptor drone after an unidentified aircraft entered its airspace from Belarus on November 1, but the target crossed into Russia before it could be intercepted, the Latvian Armed Forces said. The interceptor was subsequently self-destructed to prevent it from crossing the Russian border.
The incident prompted an orange-level air threat warning in Latvia's southeastern Krāslava and Ludza municipalities, where residents were instructed to remain indoors and take shelter behind at least two walls.
According to Latvian public broadcaster LSM, the unidentified aircraft crossed from Belarus into Latvia at approximately 7 p.m. local time. Latvian forces tracked it as it traveled toward the Russian border.
At 7:16 p.m., the aircraft left Latvian airspace and entered Russia.
Latvia's Armed Forces deployed a BLAZE interceptor drone in response, but it did not destroy the target.
Three minutes after the unidentified aircraft crossed the border, Latvian forces activated the interceptor's self-destruction mechanism to prevent it from inadvertently entering Russian territory. The resulting explosion was audible in the area.
"The mission was complicated. The drone was flying right along the Latvian-Russian border," Latvian Defense Minister Raivis Melnis told LSM.
The origin and operator of the unidentified aircraft remain unconfirmed.
"We can speculate that it was a Ukrainian drone. But that is only speculation," Latvian military spokesperson Seldzis Grasmanis said.
The BLAZE interceptor was developed by Latvian company Origin Robotics and is designed to destroy hostile drones using a fragmentation warhead.
The air threat warning was lifted at 7:30 p.m.
Latvia has repeatedly reported drone incursions and airspace alerts since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In August, NATO aircraft shot down a drone that Latvian authorities subsequently identified as Ukrainian, saying it had likely entered Latvian airspace from Belarus because of Russian electronic warfare interference.
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