This was reported to the LETA agency by the president's advisor, Mārtiņš Drēgeris. Rinkēvičs had been on annual leave since August 8. It was supposed to end on August 15, but the head of state decided to return to work earlier due to the prevailing security situation. On Saturday, the president will participate in the celebration of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Aglona and will take the opportunity to address those gathered. Previously, since taking office as president, Rinkēvičs has not spoken to the public at this event. The decision was made against the backdrop of events early Friday morning. Residents of the Augšdaugava, Preiļi, Rēzekne, Balvi, and Alūksne regions received warnings about a threat in the airspace. NATO fighter jets on a Baltic air policing mission shot down a drone that had entered Latvian airspace. This occurred near Lake Boževa, approximately five kilometers from the center of Rūga in Balvi County. According to Sandra Kaptēne, head of the Rūga Unified Management, the drone was shot down over wooded areas. No people or property were harmed. According to current information, the drone may have entered Latvian airspace under the influence of Russian electronic warfare measures. Military personnel from the National Armed Forces, Zemessardze, and State Police officers are working at the scene. Since the drone was shot down at a high altitude, its debris may be scattered over a significant area. In light of the drone incident and warnings about threats in the airspace, the president decided to interrupt his vacation. Rinkēvičs is expected to address the residents of the country in Aglona on August 15.
