Russian UAV which fell in Latvia was equipped with explosives

At a briefing, representatives of the Latvian National Armed Forces stated that the drone, recovered in Latvia on 7 September amidst another attack on Ukraine, was a Russian Shahed-type drone equipped with explosives.

As reported by LSM.lv, Lieutenant General Leonīds Kalniņš, the Commander of Latvian National Armed Forces, reported that a Shahed drone, which Russia deploys to strike Ukraine, crashed in the country's east. The drone had flown in from Belarus.

Colonel Viesturs Masiulis, Commander of the Latvian Air Force, stated that the drone was outfitted with an explosive device, which was destroyed on the ground after it landed.

According to Kalniņš, study and observation of the situation revealed that the drone attack was not intended against Latvia. An inquiry is underway to determine the circumstances behind the drone's fall, including whether it was damaged or fell by itself.

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

On 8 September, Latvia's president Edgars Rinkēvičs announced that on Saturday, a Russian military drone crashed in the country. The army stated that the UAV flew into Latvian airspace from Belarus and was quickly recognised.

The North Atlantic Alliance reported that it had no information suggesting that the crash of the Russian drone in Latvia was intentional.