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RIGA, May 19 (LETA) - A possible airspace alert has been declared in the municipalities of Balvi and Ludza on Tuesday evening, according to information on 112.lv website.

The National Armed Forces (NBS) reported that, due to the situation, fighter jets from NATO’s Baltic airspace patrol mission have been activated. The fighter jets will verify that the object detected by radar has not entered Latvian airspace, LETA learned from NBS.

Maris Tutins, head of the Information Analysis and Management Department at the Armed Forces, told Latvian Television that sensors have detected a potential threat in Latvian airspace, which is why warning messages have been sent out. There is currently no information that any drone has entered Latvian airspace.

The Armed Forces emphasize that, together with NATO allies, they are constantly monitoring the airspace so that they can respond immediately to potential threats if necessary. At the same time, air defense capabilities near the eastern border have been strengthened by deploying additional units.

The National Armed Forces note that, as Russia’s war in Ukraine continues, there may be further cases where foreign unmanned aerial vehicles approach or enter Latvian airspace.

Residents are urged to go indoors, follow the so-called "two-wall principle," and close windows and doors. If they spot a low-flying or suspicious object, residents are advised not to approach it and to call 112.

The NBS promises to provide a separate update once the threat has ended.

LETA has already reported that a possible airspace threat was declared in several Latvian regions on Tuesday. The alert was in force in the regions of Kraslava, Ludza, Rezekne, Preili, Madona, Cesis, Gulbene, Smiltene and Valmiera, as well as in Rezekne.

Shortly before 14.00, the threat was lifted in most areas, but after 14.00 the National Armed Forces announced that the threat in Latvian airspace had been completely lifted.

The National Armed Forces (NBS) cannot yet confirm that any of the drones detected on Tuesday were in Latvian airspace.

At a press conference on Tuesday evening, NBS representatives said that in the past there had been situations when a combination of circumstances had affected the operation of sensors and had led to possible threat signals. At the same time, the Armed Forces admit that another object could have been over Latvian territory.

Meanwhile, a NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission fighter jet shot down a drone over Estonia on Tuesday, Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said.

The operation was led by the Latvian Control and Reporting Center, the Estonian Defense Forces reported.

The Latvian Air Force Control and Reporting Centre provided command of the Romanian Air Force F-16 fighter jets involved in the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission and controlled and coordinated the operation to neutralize the unmanned aerial system in Estonia, the NBS told LETA.

Romanian Air Force F-16 fighters deployed in Lithuania as part of the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission intercepted and neutralized an unmanned aerial vehicle south of the town of Poltsamaa. The target was visually identified prior to engagement, with particular attention paid to the safety of civilians, the NBS explained.