On September 17, a curious incident unfolded in Latvia’s skies when the National Armed Forces detected an unidentified flying object approaching the Latvian-Belarusian border. In a swift response, NATO fighter jets from the Lielvārde military base took to the air, ready to intercept what was initially deemed a potential threat. However, what started as a mystery turned out to be an innocent flock of birds, highlighting the delicate balance of vigilance and caution in national defense protocols.
Latvia’s Defense Ministry has confirmed that it sent warplanes to investigate an unidentified flying object that had crossed their border.
On September 17, at around 9 a.m., the National Armed Forces (NBS) Air Force detected an unidentified flying object near the Latvian border, the Defense Ministry said in a statement.
A group of NATO fighter jets from the military base “Lielvārde” took off to search the area but found no suspicious objects in Latvian airspace. It was later reported that the ‘UFO’ turned out to be a flock of birds.
RT reports: The Baltic state’s Defense Ministry released a statement on Tuesday stating that in the early hours of September 17, the Air Force detected an “unrecognizable flying object” that had approached the Latvian-Belarusian border and crossed it in the vicinity of Kraslava district.
In response, the ministry said that the fighters of the NATO Airspace Patrol Mission, which carry out patrols in the area, took off and were sent to intercept the object. After failing to find anything suspicious, the fighters returned to base.
However, later in the day, LETA news agency reported that airspace monitoring devices had identified the “unrecognizable flying object” as a flock of birds. The precise species has not been specified.
Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina has nevertheless reiterated that the public must be informed when unidentified objects approach the country’s borders, while Defense Minister Andris Spruds noted that the fighter jets were airborne because it was initially impossible to determine what the “object” was.
In light of the incident, Latvia’s Defense Ministry has urged citizens to immediately report any suspicious objects or activities on the country’s border by calling a national emergency hotline.
Last week, the Latvian military announced that it would be taking additional measures to secure the country’s eastern border after an armed military drone supposedly crashed in the country’s Rezekne Region.
According to the Latvian National Air Force, the drone was allegedly identified as a ‘Shahed’ drone that had crossed into the country’s airspace from Belarus. Moscow has denied claims that the drone was of Russian origin.
This incident underscores Latvia's proactive approach to national security, especially given its geopolitical context near Belarus. The rapid deployment of NATO fighters reflects the importance of airspace integrity in ensuring national safety. Furthermore, the Prime Minister's call for public reporting of unidentified objects reinforces a community-centered approach to national security, emphasizing transparency and vigilance among citizens. The previous week’s reports of a drone crash only add to the urgency and significance of such measures.