In the early hours of Thursday morning, several unmanned aerial vehicles entered Latvian airspace from Russia, and two of them crashed, according to the National Armed Forces of Latvia (NBS).
Units of the NBS, the State Police of Latvia, and the State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia (VUGD) are currently at the scene.
The State Fire and Rescue Service told the LETA news agency that around 3:30 a.m. on Thursday, several calls were received via emergency number 112 regarding a possible fire at an oil storage facility on Komunālā Street in Rēzekne. Upon arrival, firefighters found that open flames were no longer visible, but cooling measures for one of the tanks were being carried out.
At the request of the NBS, at 4:09 a.m. VUGD sent cell broadcast alerts in the districts of Ludza Municipality and Balvi Municipality, and at 4:43 a.m. also in Rēzekne Municipality.
It was previously reported that after 4 a.m.,
emergency cell broadcast warnings about a possible threat in the airspace were issued in Balvi, Ludza, and Rēzekne municipalities.
According to notifications published on the 112.lv website, the NBS informed residents of the affected territories about a possible threat in Latvian airspace. Residents in Balvi, Ludza, and Rēzekne municipalities were urged to seek shelter indoors, close windows and doors, and avoid approaching any low-flying, suspicious, or dangerous objects, instead calling emergency number 112.
Authorities promised that separate information would be provided once the threat had ended.
As previously reported, residents of Latgale have received similar cell broadcast warnings in recent months, linked to drones involved in the Russia-Ukraine war approaching or entering Latvian airspace.
The NBS, together with NATO allies, continuously monitors Latvian airspace
to ensure the capability for an immediate response to potential threats. The military has strengthened air defense capabilities along the eastern border by deploying additional units.
As long as Russia’s aggression against Ukraine continues, the NBS acknowledges that similar incidents involving foreign drones entering or approaching Latvian airspace remain possible.
Classes in all educational institutions in Rēzekne and Rēzekne Municipality were cancelled on Thursday, while schools in Balvi and Ludza municipalities switched to remote learning, local governments informed the LETA news agency.
The Rēzekne City Municipality announced that, considering the emergency warning about a possible airspace threat in Rēzekne and Rēzekne Municipality, the decision had been made by the Civil Protection Commission.
The decision was coordinated with the responsible authorities.
The municipality also urged employers to decide on work organization according to the situation and recommendations from responsible services.
“We urge residents to follow safety instructions, avoid gathering in groups, not approach unknown objects, and follow information provided by official media and responsible authorities. We encourage everyone to remain calm and act responsibly,” the local government stated.
This information was also confirmed to LETA by Guntars Skudra, chairman of the Rēzekne Municipal Council.
Deputy mayor of Ludza Municipality Modris Karpovs confirmed to LETA that in-person classes in the municipality’s educational institutions had been cancelled and moved online, while municipal employees had also been instructed to work remotely.
Meanwhile, the Balvi Municipality announced on social media that, given the current situation, education in the municipality’s schools would take place remotely. Preschool institutions will operate in duty mode, Balvi Municipal Council chairman Jānis Trupovnieks told Latvian Television.
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