Riga, Latvia – Latvia and Finland announced a state of high alert and heightened military readiness on Tuesday following serious security warnings regarding potential threats in Latvian airspace near the town of Lodza, close to the Russian border. In response to this threat, NATO’s air defense mission in the Baltic states immediately deployed fighter jets to address the situation. Finland also announced restrictions on air and sea traffic in its areas near the Russian border as a precautionary measure.
Intense ballistic attacks target the Ukrainian capital.
On the ground, Russian forces continued their large-scale attacks on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, and its surrounding areas for the sixth consecutive day. These intense airstrikes resulted in civilian casualties and injuries. Oleksandr Bertsovsky, CEO of Ukraine’s state railway group, stated that Russian ballistic missile strikes targeted a railway depot and other vital facilities in Kyiv. Local authorities also reported significant damage to residential buildings and commercial establishments. Meanwhile, loud explosions were heard, and fires broke out in various locations.
Drone attacks target the Russian interior and oil refineries
In response, Russian territory was subjected to a wave of coordinated drone attacks. Alexander Drozdenko, governor of the Leningrad region in northwestern Russia, declared a state of alert and ordered the firing of hostile drones. The governor of the Samara region, Vyacheslav Fedoryshev, also confirmed that the town of Novokobyshevsk had been attacked by drones. These attacks caused material damage and shattered windows in a residential building. The area is strategically located and houses several major oil refineries operated by the state-owned company Rosneft. Meanwhile, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced that more than ten drones heading towards the capital had been shot down. This tit-for-tat escalation comes as Western officials continue to warn of increasing Russian pressure through activities in the so-called “gray zone.” Moscow categorically denies these accusations.
