NATO fighter jets down foreign drone in Latvian airspace
The Latvian National Armed Forces announced that NATO air policing jets intercepted and destroyed an unmanned aerial vehicle that entered the country's eastern airspace, citing Russian electronic warfare activity as the cause and warning that similar incidents could recur as the Ukraine war continues.
Latvia's National Armed Forces said on Monday that NATO fighter jets participating in the Baltic Air Policing mission shot down a foreign unmanned aerial vehicle that entered the country's airspace in the Latgale region. In a statement, the military said the drone was intercepted "as a result of Russian electronic warfare activity," without specifying the aircraft's origin or type.
The incident prompted authorities to declare airspace threats in the municipalities of Aluksne, Ludza, Balvi, and Rezekne earlier in the day. The armed forces later stated that the threats in those municipalities had ended.
Reinforced border defenses
"The Latvian National Armed Forces, together with NATO allies, continuously monitor the airspace to ensure an immediate response capability to potential threats," the statement added, with officials underscoring the alliance's readiness posture in the Baltic region.
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Latvia has strengthened its air defense capabilities along the eastern border by deploying additional units to counter potential incursions. The military noted that similar incidents involving foreign drones entering or approaching Latvian airspace may occur again as the war between Russia and Ukraine continues.
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