Russia Accuses Ukraine of Planning Drone Operations via Latvia

(MENAFN) Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) asserted on Tuesday that Ukraine is allegedly organizing another series of drone assaults targeting Russian territories, with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) expected to be launched from Latvian soil.

According to the SVR, the “regime of Volodymyr Zelenskyy is determined to demonstrate to its ideological and financial patrons in Europe that the Ukrainian armed forces retain combat potential and the capability to inflict damage on the Russian economy.”

The intelligence agency further alleged that Ukrainian military units intend not only to utilize aerial routes previously made available by Baltic nations, but also to deploy drones directly from those countries in order to shorten travel duration and enhance the impact of the strikes.

"According to the information received, Kyiv does not intend to limit itself to using the air corridors that the Baltic countries had provided to the armed forces of Ukraine (AFU). Drones are also planned to be launched from the territory of these states," it said.

Moscow additionally claimed that Latvia had consented to assist the mission despite fears regarding potential countermeasures or retaliatory responses.

The statement also noted that members of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces had reportedly already been stationed at several Latvian military facilities, including Adazi, Selia, Lielvarde, Daugavpils, and Jekabpils.

The SVR also cautioned that advanced surveillance and reconnaissance technologies now enable authorities to trace drone launch locations, including through forensic examination of UAV debris and wreckage.

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