NATO jets shoot down drone in Latvian airspace

NATO fighter jets shot down a drone that entered Latvian airspace early on Friday, August 14, 2026, in an incident attributed to Russian electronic warfare interference. The interception prompted temporary airspace restrictions in several Latvian municipalities and precautionary measures in neighboring Finland, marking the latest in a series of drone-related security incidents along NATO's eastern flank.

Latvia's armed forces announced the successful interception in a statement on X, confirming that allied jets operating under the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission destroyed the unmanned aerial vehicle. The drone entered Latvian airspace "as a result of Russian electromagnetic warfare," the military said, suggesting it was likely a Ukrainian drone that had been redirected from its intended target. An orange airspace alert was issued shortly before 4 a.m. local time for five municipalities near the Russian border: Augšdaugava, Preiļi, Rēzekne, Balvi, and Alūksne. Residents received mobile phone warnings to seek shelter. The alert was lifted about an hour later after the threat was neutralized.

The Latvian military stated it has deployed additional air defense units to the country's...