NATO fighters down drone over Latvia near Russian border

NATO fighter aircraft shot down a foreign drone over eastern Latvia on Friday in an incident authorities blamed on Russian electronic warfare.

Latvia's armed forces said the unmanned aircraft was destroyed over the Balvi region by fighters participating in NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission.

Airspace alerts were issued across several eastern and southern regions before being lifted at 4:50 AM local time.

Latvian authorities said the drone had “flown into Latvia as a result of Russian electromagnetic warfare,” although further details about the aircraft were not immediately released.

“This is a confirmation that Latvian airspace is protected,” Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs said on X.

Finland temporarily restricted airspace and a section of the eastern Gulf of Finland following the incident as a precaution.

Finnish defence officials said no drones entered the country and the restrictions were later lifted.

Latvia, which borders Russia and is a member of NATO and the European Union, has experienced several drone incursions since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

NATO allies also shot down a drone over Latvia in June, which Latvian authorities similarly linked to Russian electronic warfare.

Latvia's defence ministry warned that similar incidents could continue as long as Russia's war in Ukraine persists.