NATO fighter jets down drone over Latvia as Russia tensions simmer

Allied fighter jets shot down an unmanned drone that had penetrated Latvian airspace on Friday morning, according to the country’s armed forces. The incident marked an escalation in military activity over the Baltic nation, which borders Russia to the east. Following the successful interception, air raid warnings that had been issued for eastern regions of Latvia were subsequently lifted.

Latin countries have remained on high alert since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with repeated violations of their airspace by Russian military aircraft and drones. Latvia, a NATO member state, has intensified air defence measures and coordinated closely with allied forces to monitor and respond to potential threats.

The identity and origin of the drone were not immediately confirmed, though such incidents typically involve Russian reconnaissance or attack unmanned systems straying or being deliberately deployed into NATO airspace. The successful interception demonstrates the readiness of NATO’s air defence systems deployed across the region to protect member states from aerial incursions.

Source: Walla News — Original article in Hebrew.