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Russian drone that crashed in Latvia was carrying explosives, according to Latvian military

VILNIUS, Sept 9 (Reuters) – A Russian military drone that crashed in Latvia on Saturday was carrying explosives believed to be destined for Ukraine when it entered Ukrainian airspace, Latvian officials said on Monday.

Romania and Latvia, both NATO members and supporters of Ukraine in its two-and-a-half-year war with Russia, said on Sunday they were investigating cases of Russian drones crashing after entering their airspace.

The drone that landed in Latvia was an Iranian-made Shahed aircraft, said the commander of the Latvian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Leonids Kalnins, at a press conference, according to the Latvian news website Delfi.

The drone's explosives, likely destined for Ukraine, were deactivated after they were discovered in Latvia, Kalnins told reporters.

According to a statement by the Latvian Ministry of Defense on Monday, the drone crashed in the region of the village of Gaigalava, about 90 kilometers from the border with Belarus, from where it entered the country.

NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana condemned the incidents on Sunday as “irresponsible and potentially dangerous” and said there was no evidence of a deliberate attack on alliance member states.

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Report by Andrius Sytas, written by Terje Solsvik, edited by Angus MacSwan

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