Latvia's army reported that NATO fighter jets shot down a drone that crossed into Latvian airspace from Russia. The drone's origin remains unclear, and authorities briefly warned residents in eastern regions to shelter indoors. The incident comes amid increased long-range drone activity tied to the war in Ukraine and follows a recent NATO shootdown over Estonia, raising concerns about potential spillover into NATO airspace.
NATO Fighter Jets Shoot Down Drone That Entered Latvian Airspace
NATO fighter jets on Monday shot down a drone after it crossed into Latvian airspace from Russia, Latvia's army said. The military described the incident as the latest in a series of security events along Europe's eastern frontier.
Officials said the drone's precise origin was not immediately known. Authorities in eastern Latvia temporarily warned residents to seek shelter indoors until the aircraft was intercepted and downed.
Latvia's army posted on X:
"Allied fighter jets successfully shoot down a drone flying into Latvian airspace!"
In recent months there has been an uptick in long-range drone activity tied to the war in Ukraine. Several military drones have strayed into the airspace of Finland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, and Kyiv has carried out more long-range strikes against Russian territory.
Last month, a NATO military jet shot down a suspected Ukrainian drone over Estonia. Allied officials say these kinds of incursions have heightened concerns that the conflict could spill over into NATO's northern borders, prompting increased vigilance across the Baltic region.
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