UPDATED: Latvia closes airspace along its eastern border
Sprūds pointed out that Wednesday's events in Poland, which saw a wave of Russian drones cross the border from Belarus, are a blatant violation of NATO airspace and Latvia must act accordingly.
The minister confirmed that there is currently no direct threat to Latvia, but preventive measures are necessary.
As previously reported by LSM, the National Armed Forces were already in a state of high alert during the ongoing "Namejs" military training exercises on Latvian territory.
Closing the airspace along the eastern border will allow for full control of a restricted airspace zone and make it easier to spot unauthorized flying objects, as well as free up the restricted airspace zone for NATO Baltic Air Patrol Mission interceptors and Latvian air defence systems, explained Sprūds.
The step will also allow for increased testing of acoustic airspace surveillance systems, drone and anti-drone simulations, and the deployment and training of additional mobile combat units.
"Russian drones in NATO airspace are a wake-up call, and we must do everything possible to prevent an escalation of drone attacks," Sprūds said.
To reduce the threat of drones, air defence units of the National Armed Forces are on constant duty on the eastern border of Latvia to shoot down drones of aggressor states if necessary. Over the past year, amendments have been made to the regulatory enactments that, in cooperation with Latvian Air Traffic Control, allow for the rapid closure of airspace in specific areas.
"The National Armed Forces have been implementing an air defence operation in eastern Latvia for a year now. Closing airspace will speed up the response of air defence battle groups to a potential threat. At the same time, previously developed air defence procedures, notification algorithms, and analysis of sensor data will be intensively tested," said the Commander of the National Armed Forces, Major General Kaspars Pudāns.
Ņemot vērā Polijas gaisa telpas pārkāpumus, un iespēju līdzīgiem incidentiem atkārtoties, no 11.09. plkst.18:00 līdz 18.09. tiks slēgta gaisa telpa aptuveni 50 kilometru joslā gar LVA-RUS un LVA-BLR robežām. Lidošanas aizliegums attieksies uz gaisa telpu līdz 6000m augstumam. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/q0I3G4OWpK
— Ģenerālmajors Kaspars Pudāns (@nbskomandieris) September 11, 2025
The restriction will apply to a height of 6,000 metres and will cover a 50-kilometre deep area along the border, it was clarified after some initial confusion about exactly what would be covered by the no-fly zone. Latvia shares a 172-kilometre border with Belarus and one of 283 kilometres with Russia.
According to a supplied image (above), the restrictions also affect part of Latvia's north eastern border with Estonia and south-eastern border with Lithuania.
Aircraft flying higher than 6,000 metres will be able to cross the restricted zone. As most commercial airlines cruise at 9,000 metres or more, they will still be able to fly above the restricted zone, which has been created with drones in mind. Drones typically fly at lower altitudes.
The comprehensive national defense exercise “Namejs 2025” organized by the National Armed Forces is taking place from September 2 to October 8 throughout Latvia.
Note: this story revises the area covered by the restrictions following clarification from the national air traffic control authorities.
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