NATO shoots down drone over Latvia for first time, tying incursion to Russian electronic warfare
A French Rafale fighter jet downed an unidentified drone that crossed into Latvian airspace from Russia on Monday, marking the first such interception under NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission.
French jets down drone over eastern Latvia
A French Rafale fighter jet shot down a drone over Latvia’s eastern region near the village of Berzgale on Monday, after it entered the country’s airspace from Russia. The shootdown, around 10:05 local time (07:05 GMT), was the first time NATO forces have intercepted and destroyed a drone over Latvian territory. No injuries or property damage were reported, and the drone’s origin and type remain unclear.
Electronic warfare suspected
The Latvian army stated the unmanned aerial vehicle strayed into its territory “as a result of Russian electromagnetic warfare” — a claim that points to deliberate jamming or spoofing of navigation systems. NATO command took the final decision to engage the drone, according to Defence Minister Raivis Melnis. French army officials confirmed two Rafale jets scrambled from the Siauliai airbase in Lithuania neutralised the target.
A pattern of incursions
The incident is part of a growing sequence of airspace violations across Europe’s eastern border. On 19 May, a Romanian F‑16 fighter deployed in the Baltic shot down a Ukrainian drone over Estonia. A day later, Lithuania issued its first public air alert and its leaders were rushed to bunkers after another drone approached Vilnius. Also last month, a Russian drone crashed into an apartment building in Galați, Romania, injuring two people. In Latvia, multiple Ukrainian drone crashes ahead of national elections caused the government to collapse: then‑Prime Minister Evika Siliņa sacked her defence minister, then resigned after losing coalition support.
The political leadership of the defence sector failed to fulfill its promise of safe skies over our country.
The repeated incursions have sharpened concerns about NATO’s eastern flank and the spillover of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
- Romanian F‑16 shoots down Ukrainian drone over Estonia
- Lithuania issues first public air alert after drone approaches Vilnius
- French Rafale downs drone over Latvia; drone fragments found in Moldova
Officials react
Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže praised the operation on social media, while Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs commended swift decision‑making.
Thank you, our French Allies, for taking down the drone that flew into Latvian airspace!
Swift decision‑making and professional action.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna linked the event to broader Russian aggression, and a NATO official described the shootdown as evidence of the alliance’s determination to deter and defend.
Confirm that Russia’s continued aggression against Ukraine poses a threat beyond Ukraine’s borders.
Explosion in Moldova
The same day, authorities in Moldova found fragments of a drone that had exploded on agricultural land near Lopatna after entering from Ukraine overnight. No one was hurt. While the drone was likely Ukrainian, officials in Chișinău stressed Russia’s war as the root cause. President Maia Sandu said the country must strengthen its anti‑drone and jamming capabilities.
