Latvia warns of airspace threat near Russian border overnight

Latvia’s National Armed Forces issued an overnight warning about a potential threat in the country’s airspace near its border with Russia, before announcing several hours later that the situation had stabilised.

In a statement posted on X at around 2:00 a.m. on May 15, the military said: “The National Armed Forces inform that a possible threat in Latvia’s airspace may exist in the Krāslava, Ludza, Balvi and Rēzekne regions.”

The alert covered multiple eastern districts bordering Russia and prompted precautionary measures, including the cancellation of school classes in the Ludza region.

Iespējams apdraudējums Latvijas gaisa telpā.

Nacionālie bruņotie spēki informē, ka iespējams apdraudējums Latvijas gaisa telpā Krāslavas, Ludzas, Balvu un Rēzeknes novados.

Nacionālie bruņotie spēki kopā ar NATO sabiedrotajiem pastāvīgi monitorē gaisa telpu, lai nodrošinātu…

— NBS (@Latvijas_armija) May 14, 2026

By approximately 6:40 a.m., the armed forces reported that the threat had passed.

Despite the all-clear, the military stressed that it continues to monitor the situation closely in coordination with NATO allies.

“The National Armed Forces have strengthened air defence capabilities on the eastern border by deploying additional units. While Russia’s aggression against Ukraine continues, a recurrence of such incidents, when a foreign unmanned aerial vehicle enters or approaches Latvia’s airspace, is possible,” the statement said.

By Tamilla Hasanova