Latvia issues airspace threat alert in five municipalities

Latvia has issued an airspace threat alert in the Augšdaugava, Preiļi, Rēzekne, Balvi and Alūksne municipalities, LSM reported. Residents in the municipalities received a cell broadcast message, the National Armed Forces said.

Fighter jets from NATO’s air policing mission have been activated in Baltic airspace.

The National Armed Forces said that, while Russia’s aggression against Ukraine continues, foreign unmanned aircraft could again enter or approach Latvian airspace.

The authorities use two levels of cell broadcast warning messages. A yellow warning is an informational message that does not require immediate action but urges residents to stay informed about a possible threat to Latvian airspace. An orange warning signals a detected threat and requires residents to take immediate action according to the instructions provided.

People in the threatened area are advised to follow these instructions:

If indoors, take shelter in a place with at least two walls between you and the outside of the building.

If in a car, assess the situation. Continue to a safe location or get out immediately, move away from the road and seek the nearest shelter.

If you hear an explosion, stay indoors and keep away from windows and doors.

If an explosion has occurred, leave the building only after receiving instructions from the responsible services or no sooner than 10 minutes after the last explosion.

When resuming travel, move slowly and assess the safety of the route.

Do not post photos or videos on social media, as this could spread disinformation and reveal defensive positions.

Go to the nearest shelter, such as a basement or protective shelter, only if the early warning system specifically instructs you to do so.

People outside the threatened area should follow instructions from the responsible services.