The possible threat to Latvian airspace has ended, but there is currently no broader information available regarding the fate of the drone that entered Latvia, LETA news agency has learned.
As previously reported, a foreign drone entered Latvian airspace from Belarus this morning. As a result, warnings about a possible airspace threat were issued on Thursday morning in the municipalities of Ludza, Rēzekne, Krāslava, and Augšdaugava, as well as in the cities of Rēzekne and Daugavpils.
The drone was also reportedly seen flying over the territory of Krāslava Municipality.
As is standard in such cases, fighter jets participating in NATO’s Baltic air policing mission were activated.
The Latvian National Armed Forces (NBS) stated that together with NATO allies they continuously monitor the airspace to ensure the ability to respond immediately to potential threats.
The armed forces had previously strengthened air defense capabilities along the eastern border by deploying additional units.
In the event of an airspace threat, residents, visitors, or schoolchildren do not automatically need to be evacuated from public buildings, the Crisis Management Centre (KVC) had earlier explained to LETA.
In such situations, the main priority is not to go outside but rather to find a safer place inside the building as quickly as possible. Authorities also urge people to follow the “two-wall principle” — meaning they should stay in a place separated from the outside by at least two walls.
The KVC further advised residents to close windows and doors, stay away from windows, glass surfaces, and exterior walls, and follow instructions issued by responsible authorities.
“Actions during an airspace threat differ from a building evacuation alarm.
People should not leave the building unless there are separate instructions from responsible services or a direct threat has arisen inside the building itself, such as a fire, structural damage, risk of explosion, or other conditions making it unsafe to remain inside,” the center emphasized.
Critical infrastructure facilities and providers of essential services continue operating even during airspace threats while taking precautions and adapting their actions to the specific situation, the KVC stressed.
At the same time, guidelines for responding to airspace threats are currently being developed. They are expected to be published in the near future and may later be updated as risks evolve or additional information becomes available.
Residents in several municipalities in Latgale and Vidzeme also received cell broadcast warnings
about possible airspace threats on Wednesday and Tuesday, with some areas in Latgale receiving alerts twice on Tuesday — around midday and again in the evening. In none of those cases was a drone ultimately confirmed to have entered Latvia.
Public debate has since emerged, including among officials, about whether and how response algorithms should be improved in cases of regular warnings, as such alerts significantly disrupt social and economic life in affected municipalities.
Meanwhile, a fighter jet participating in NATO’s Baltic air policing mission shot down a drone over Estonia on Tuesday.
Residents of Latgale have received similar cell broadcast alerts several times over recent months, most likely linked to drones involved in the Russia–Ukraine war approaching or entering Latvian airspace. On several occasions, such drones have exploded on Latvian territory, including at a little-used oil depot in Rēzekne on the 7th of May.
No people have been injured in any of the incidents so far. However, the latest case in Rēzekne first led to the resignation of the defense minister and later to the collapse of the government led by Evika Siliņa. Talks are currently underway to form a new government. Until a new cabinet is approved, Siliņa’s government continues to serve in a caretaker capacity.
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