Object falls in Latvia's Balvi municipality; air threat alert lifted

Latvia's National Armed Forces (NBS) lifted an air-space threat alert for the Balvi and Ludza municipalities in the Latgale region overnight into 3 November, after receiving a report that an object had fallen in Balvi municipality. The NBS declared the threat at 00:10 and announced its end at around 00:35.

The orange warning that was issued is the higher of two alert levels. Under it, residents are asked to go indoors and follow the two-wall principle. NATO air policing fighter jets were activated in Baltic airspace.

Search continues

"According to initial information, the object fell in Balvi municipality," the NBS said. Searches on the ground are continuing to establish the object's exact location and the circumstances of the incident.

The NBS urges residents who notice a suspicious object or debris not to approach or touch it, and to report it immediately to the single emergency number 112.

Earlier incidents

This year, residents of Latgale and Vidzeme have several times received cell broadcast alerts about a possible air-space threat. Some drones have also fallen and exploded in Latvia, and in one case a drone was shot down.

Those incidents were most likely linked to drones involved in the Russia-Ukraine war approaching or entering Latvian airspace. In some cases the drones did not enter Latvian airspace at all, and the alerts were sent more as a precaution.

The NBS has previously said that, as long as Russia's aggression in Ukraine continues, foreign unmanned aircraft may again approach or enter Latvia's airspace.