Russian drone which crashed in Latvia was equipped with explosives

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

Source: LSM.lv, as reported by European Pravda 

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

Colonel Viesturs Masiulis, Commander of the Latvian Air Force, said the drone was fitted with an explosive device, which was destroyed on the ground after it crashed.

Kalniņš said that following analysis and observation of the situation, it had been concluded that the drone attack was not targeted against Latvia. An inquiry is underway to determine the circumstances behind the drone crash, including whether it had been damaged or fell by itself.

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

Background: 

• On Sunday, 8 September, Latvia's president Edgars Rinkēvičs announced that a Russian military drone had crashed in Latvian territory on Saturday. The army stated that the UAV flew into Latvian airspace from Belarus and was spotted immediately.
• NATO said it had no information suggesting that the crash of the Russian drone in Latvia was intentional.

Support UP or become our patron!