NATO fighters shoot down drone over Latvia as Finland restricts Baltic air traffic
NATO fighter jets operating under the Baltic Air Policing mission shot down a foreign drone that entered Latvian airspace on the night of 13-14 August, prompting air alerts in Latvia and precautionary flight restrictions in Finland's eastern Gulf of Finland.
Drone interception over eastern Latvia
Latvian armed forces announced an air threat alert shortly after 3:00 AM on 14 August for five eastern districts bordering Russia and Belarus: Augsdaugava, Preili, Rezekne, Balvi, and Aluksne. The alert, posted on the armed forces' X account, instructed residents to seek shelter indoors, follow the "two walls" rule, and report any low-flying or suspicious objects by calling 112. Latvia is a member of both the European Union and NATO. NATO fighter jets operating under the Baltic Air Policing mission were scrambled in response. At 3:42 AM, the armed forces posted a follow-up message confirming the threat had ended.
We inform you that the threat in the airspace has ended. Allied aircraft successfully shot down an unmanned aerial vehicle that entered the airspace.
The military portal sargs.lv, run by the Latvian military, reported that the drone was shot down near Balvi in eastern Latvia and described it as a "foreign unmanned aerial vehicle that entered Latvian territory as a result of Russian military operations." No details about the drone's type or country of origin were released. One source, niezalezna.pl, reported the alert was cancelled around 4:50 AM, differing from the 3:42 AM timestamp given by FAKT24.
- Latvia announces air threat alert for five eastern districts bordering Russia and Belarus
- Latvian armed forces report NATO fighters shot down drone; alert cancelled (per FAKT24)
- Finland imposes temporary air and maritime restrictions in eastern Gulf of Finland
- Finland lifts restrictions after three hours; no drone entered Finnish airspace
Finland imposes precautionary restrictions
Finland's armed forces announced on X a temporary restricted zone for air and maritime traffic in the eastern Gulf of Finland starting at 4:00 AM on 14 August. The measures were taken due to possible drone incursions, according to the Finnish military statement. The restrictions were lifted after three hours, at approximately 7:00 AM. Finnish authorities confirmed that no drone entered Finnish airspace and described the measures as precautionary, aimed at ensuring conditions for authorities to operate and protecting bystanders. Finland, which also borders Russia, acted in parallel with the Latvian alert but reported no actual incursion into its territory.
Possible link to Ukraine-Russia drone exchange
TVN24 reported that the incidents may be connected to an overnight exchange of drone attacks between Russia and Ukraine. Ukraine conducted a large-scale drone attack on targets in eastern Russia near the Gulf of Finland, striking the largest Russian transshipment port on the Baltic coast, Ust-Luga, near the Estonian border. Local authorities in Russia reported that over 50 Ukrainian drones were shot down during the overnight exchange. Estonia did not announce an air alert during the night, distinguishing its response from those of Latvia and Finland.
Estonia tightens eastern border
Separately, Estonia's government decided on 13 August to keep its eastern border with Russia closed at night for an indefinite period. Border crossings with Russia will operate only 12 hours per day, from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Interior Minister Igor Taro stated that the decision fits into the broader context of EU-Russia relations, shaped by Russia's large-scale military aggression against Ukraine. The border closure adds another layer of security measures taken by Baltic states in response to the ongoing conflict.
