Latvia, Estonia issue airspace warnings after drones approach borders

Latvia and Estonia issued airspace warnings overnight after drones linked to Russia’s war against Ukraine approached or entered their airspace, prompting NATO fighter jets to scramble, authorities said Tuesday.

A warning about a potential threat in Latvian airspace was issued overnight in the Alūksne municipality in northeastern Latvia. Latvia’s National Armed Forces said a potential threat had been detected over the municipality, prompting the NATO Baltic air-policing mission to scramble fighter jets.

Residents of the area were advised to remain indoors, follow the “two-wall principle” by putting two walls between themselves and the potential threat, and close windows and doors. They were told to call the emergency number 112 if they spotted a low-flying, suspicious or dangerous object.

The warning was lifted at 04:17 in the morning.

About 90 minutes earlier, a lower-level yellow warning over a potential airspace threat had been issued in Latvia’s Ludza municipality. It was later cancelled.

The incidents come after repeated airspace warnings in Latvia’s Latgale and Vidzeme regions this summer. Foreign drones have also crashed and exploded in Latvia, with NATO fighter jets shooting down some of them. The incidents were believed to involve drones used in the Russia-Ukraine war that approached or entered Latvian airspace.

In neighbouring Estonia, Russian-launched drones briefly approached the town of Narva and one crossed into Estonian airspace in the country’s southeast, according to Estonian public broadcaster ERR.

Estonian Air Force commander Brig. Gen. Riivo Valge said about 10 drones were detected near the border at around 02:00 local time as Ukraine was carrying out a large-scale drone attack against Russia.

At about 03:00, one drone turned toward Narva, prompting authorities to issue a public warning and activate ground-based air defences. Fighter jets subsequently took off from Amari Air Base.

The drone later turned back toward Russia and did not enter Estonian airspace.

About 30 minutes later, another drone crossed into southeastern Estonia and flew for a time in the border area, Valge said. Its behaviour was unpredictable, and more drones were detected just across the border in Russia.

The drone eventually left Estonian airspace without crashing, and the Estonian fighter jets did not have to open fire, Valge said. The warning was lifted after the situation across the border calmed around 05:00.

Valge said the situation was calm Tuesday and urged Estonians to focus on the start of the school year.