RIGA, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Latvia is extending a partial closure of its airspace along the Belarusian and Russian borders by introducing flight restrictions from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m., the Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

The flight restrictions in the border areas will be effective from Sept. 18 to Oct. 8, the ministry said.

According to the Defense Ministry, the restrictions enable the Latvian armed forces to fully control the restricted airspace zone and intensify the testing of acoustic air surveillance systems, conduct drone and counter-drone simulations, and deploy and train mobile combat units.

Latvia initially closed its airspace along its eastern borders on Sept. 11 after a drone incident in Poland, where multiple drones were shot down after they entered Polish airspace. Russia has rejected the accusations made by Poland, the EU and NATO that it launched the drones.

Latvian airspace was closed for aircraft flying at an altitude below 6,000 meters in a 50-km-long area along the Baltic country's eastern border. Aircraft flying at altitudes above 6,000 meters were allowed to cross this area.

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