Russia warns Latvia ‘NATO membership will not protect you' amid drone tensions

Tensions between Russia and NATO escalated after Moscow warned that Baltic states could face retaliation over alleged Ukrainian drone activity.

Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzya, claimed during a UN Security Council meeting that Ukraine planned to launch military drones from Latvia and other Baltic nations.

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“The foreign intelligence of Russia did say that the coordinates of decision-making centers in Latvia are well known, and membership in NATO will not protect you from retaliation, even if you are ⁠a member of NATO,” Nebenzya said through an interpreter.

Latvia’s UN envoy, Sanita Pavluta-Deslandes, dismissed the accusations as “pure fiction.” The United States also condemned the remarks.

Deputy US ambassador to the UN Tammy Bruce warned that the organisation was “no place for threats against a council member” and said Washington would continue to honour its NATO commitments.

The exchange came after Ukraine accused Russia of redirecting one of its drones into Estonia, where it was shot down by a NATO fighter jet earlier this week.

Latvia later issued air threat alerts near its border with Russia and deployed NATO Baltic Air Police jets, although officials said no drone was ultimately detected in its airspace.

Ukraine denied using Baltic territory to launch attacks against Russia and apologised to Estonia for the drone incident.