Discovery of Russian Heron drone fragments in Latvia raises new security concerns in the region
In Latvia, along the coast of Ventspils District in the Varve parish, a fragment was discovered, identified as the tail section of a Russian drone of the ‘Heron’ model.
This finding has sparked discussions and heightened concerns among government agencies, as it points to ongoing military activities and potential threats to the security of the Baltic region.
The incident was reported by Defense Minister Andris Sprūds on his social media platform X.
The Explosive Ordnance Disposal team of the National Armed Forces promptly arrived at the scene and determined that the object was not explosive.
It is believed that the debris was washed ashore from the sea.
Prime Minister Evika Siliņa, responding to the situation, instructed the respective Ministries of Defense and Internal Affairs to collaborate closely with their Polish counterparts to determine whether this drone is similar to one found in Poland last week.
She emphasized the importance of strengthening the protection of both internal borders and the Baltic Sea coast by installing additional sensors to monitor potential threats.
Earlier, on July 28, a Russian ‘Heron’ drone was found at a training ground in Lithuania, launched deliberately from Belarus and containing 2 kg of explosives.
This drone flew over Vilnius early in the morning.
Additionally, on September 13, a Russian drone entered Romanian territory but soon returned to Ukrainian territory near the city of Kiliya in the Odessa region.
These incidents underscore the necessity of boosting regional security measures, as UAV activities indicate growing military tensions and possible provocations near EU and NATO borders.