NATO fighter jets shoot down drone over eastern Latvia after Russian electronic warfare interference
NATO fighter jets shot down a drone over eastern Latvia on Monday morning after it strayed into the country's airspace, the first such interception in Latvian territory. The incident follows a pattern of Ukrainian drones veering off course due to Russian electronic warfare.
Airspace violation and military response
Latvia's armed forces issued an air threat alert for the eastern regions of Ludza, Balvi, Alūksne, and Rēzekne on Monday morning, warning residents to stay indoors. The alert was triggered by at least one drone entering Latvian airspace from Russia, according to an army spokesperson. In response, NATO fighter jets stationed in the region were scrambled to intercept the object.
Allied fighter jets in Latvian airspace successfully shot down a drone entering the airspace.
The interception was carried out by French Rafale fighter jets operating under NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission, according to the Latvian newspaper Diena. The Latvian Ministry of Defence confirmed in a press release that the drone was downed in the Latgale region. The air threat alert was lifted at 9:18 local time after the operation concluded.
Electronic warfare as a contributing factor
Latvian armed forces stated that the drone was flying over Latvia "following Russian electromagnetic warfare," according to local media reports. The Dutch newspaper NRC, citing Diena, reported that the drone had lost its way due to Russian electronic jamming. This marks the latest in a series of incidents where Ukrainian long-range attack drones, targeting Russian oil shipping ports in the Baltic Sea region, have missed their objectives and crossed into neighbouring NATO airspace.
A NATO aircraft this morning shot down a drone flying over Latvia following Russian electromagnetic warfare.
A growing pattern across the Baltic region
Military drones straying into the airspace of Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have been stoking concerns that the war in Ukraine is spilling over into NATO's northern borders with Russia. As Ukraine steps up long-range attacks on Russian Baltic Sea oil shipping ports, some of its drones have missed their targets and led to security warnings in neighbouring countries. Last month, a NATO military aircraft shot down a suspected Ukrainian drone over Estonia.
On 7 May, two Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles launched against targets in Russia fell on Latvian territory and damaged an oil warehouse in Rēzekne. The incident on Monday is the first time NATO aviation has shot down a drone in Latvian airspace.
Civilian safety measures
Authorities instructed residents in the affected eastern districts to seek shelter indoors using the "two-wall principle," which requires two walls between the outside and the shelter to provide adequate protection against potential impacts. The military also warned the public not to approach any suspicious low-flying objects and to immediately notify emergency services by calling 112.
Go to a safe place indoors, apply the two-wall principle.
The first warning was issued at 8:21, followed by a second communication at 8:55 containing direct instructions for the civilian population. The all-clear was given after the drone was shot down, with authorities confirming the threat had passed.
- Latvian military issues first air threat warning for eastern districts.
- Second alert issued with direct instructions for civilians to shelter indoors.
- Latvian National Armed Forces announce end of interception operation.
- National Armed Forces issue notice regarding potential airspace threat in Ludza, Balvi, and Alūksne municipalities.
