The drone shot down in Balvi Municipality was a Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle

The National Armed Forces inform that on August 14th, in the vicinity of Rugāji in Balvi Municipality, a Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle was shot down after entering Latvian airspace from the territory of Belarus, most likely under the influence of russian electronic warfare.

In order not to affect the planned defence activities and capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Armed Forces will not provide more detailed information about the model of the unmanned aerial vehicle.

As previously reported, at 04:00 on Friday, August 14th, a cell broadcast notification was announced in the municipalities of Augšdaugava, Preiļi, Rēzekne, Balvi and Alūksne due to a potential threat to Latvian airspace. In response to the situation, fighter jets participating in NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission were activated.

In the vicinity of Rugāji, Balvi Municipality, allied fighter jets successfully shot down the unmanned aerial vehicle. At 04:50, the potential airspace threat was lifted in all five municipalities, and a search for the wreckage of the unmanned aerial vehicle was immediately launched.

The wreckage of the unmanned aerial vehicle was found on Friday evening, and by 10:10 on Saturday, August 15th, work had been completed to destroy potentially explosive components.

Electronic warfare systems can disrupt communications, navigation and targeting of military systems, thereby making the precise use of weapons more difficult or, in some cases, even preventing it altogether.

The National Armed Forces continue to monitor Latvian airspace and, in cooperation with NATO allies, are ready to respond immediately to any potential threats.

Information prepared by:
Roberts Skraučs
Advisor to the Commander of the National Armed Forces on Military Public Relations
Phone: 25617037
Email: roberts.skraucs@mil.lv