Russia to conduct tests missile launches near Latvian Baltic Sea coast
Russian naval forces will conduct training launches of missiles over the Latvian Exclusive Economic Zone in the Baltic Sea from April 4 to 6, as reported by the Russian Ministry of Defense, reports DELFI new agency.
The report states that the missile launches will take place between 4 pm and 8 pm. The Russian Federation asked Latvia to close the airspace during this period to an altitude of 18 km in the missile launch zone and at a distance of about 40 km from the coastline of Latvia.
The Latvian Civil Aviation Agency agreed to temporarily close Latvia’s airspace to an altitude of 18 km in the zone.
The director of the Civil Aviation Agency of Latvia, Maris Gorodtsov, explained that the closure of airspace is a standard procedure when military experts request it, but it has never been done in Latvia.
The representative of the Latvian Ministry of Defense, Kaspar Galkin, said that Russia has not yet informed them about which weaponry will be used.
According to the report, the Ministry of Defense summoned the Russian military attaché in Latvia, Andrey Lobov, and expressed dissatisfaction with the situation. Latvia demanded detailed information from the attaché about the planned actions in the Latvian Exclusive Economic Zone, as well as what safety measures will be put in place.
In addition, according to the report, two military aircraft arrived in Latvia on March 29 – Bell V-22 Ospreys – which are in service with the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command.