Russia's SVR Claims Ukraine Plans Drone Strikes from Latvian Soil

(MENAFN) Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) alleged Tuesday that Ukraine is preparing a fresh wave of drone strikes against Russian territory — this time launching unmanned aerial vehicles directly from Latvian soil, dramatically escalating the intelligence claim's implications for NATO.

The SVR asserted that 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."

Beyond merely using Baltic airspace, Moscow alleged that Ukrainian forces intend to launch drones directly from Latvian territory to shorten flight times and sharpen strike effectiveness.

"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," the agency said.

Moscow further claimed Latvia consented to support the operation despite internal concerns over potential Russian retaliation. Ukrainian personnel from the country's Unmanned Systems Forces have allegedly already been deployed to Latvian military bases, including Adazi, Selia, Lielvarde, Daugavpils, and Jekabpils.

The SVR also warned that modern reconnaissance technology allows for the identification of drone launch sites — including through forensic analysis of recovered wreckage.

The statement closed with a thinly veiled threat: "It would be worthwhile to remind that the coordinates of decision-making centers on Latvian territory are well known, and the country's NATO membership will not protect accomplices of terrorists from just retribution."

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