NATO Baltic Air Policing Jets Shoot Down Drone in Latvian Airspace

EUROPE — The National Armed Forces of Latvia (NBS) issued an orange-level air threat alert on June 8 after a foreign UAV entered Latvian airspace. Latvian authorities attributed the incursion to Russian electromagnetic warfare.

NATO Baltic Air Policing fighters (French Rafales from Šiauliai Air Base) were activated. The drone was shot down over an uninhabited area around 10:05 local time. The possible air threat ended and was lifted in all regions by 10:20 local time. No injuries or damage reported, and fragment search is ongoing.

The alert was part of a response to a drone that Latvian authorities attributed to Russian electromagnetic warfare activities. NATO Baltic Air Policing fighters were activated, and the drone was then shot down.

Air Threat Alert and Intercept

The NBS posted an orange alert, stating there was a threat in Latvia’s airspace over the Krāslava and Ludza districts. Residents were instructed to go indoors and follow the two-wall principle, monitor official announcements, and call 112 if they observed a low-flying or suspicious object.

Later updates from the NBS stated that allied fighter jets had successfully shot down the drone. The force described it as a foreign unmanned aerial vehicle that had flown into Latvia as a result of Russian electromagnetic warfare.

The possible air threat ended and was lifted in all regions by 10:20 local (per NBS timeline: yellow alert 09:20, orange 09:40, shoot-down ~10:05 over Rēzekne region/Bērzgale parish, lifted 10:20).

Eyewitness reports and Latvian media placed the intercept in the Latgale region, between Rēzekne and Kārsava in Nautrēni Parish. The shoot-down was carried out by French Rafale fighters operating from Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania as part of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission.

Defense Minister Raivis Melnis assessed at a press conference that a search for drone fragments was ongoing to identify the system and its capabilities. He noted there were no indications of injuries or damage and said costs for scrambling jets should not be counted when discussing security.

Official Statements

• National Armed Forces of Latvia (NBS), June 8, 2026: “TAKE ACTION! We inform you that there is a threat in Latvia’s airspace. Go indoors, follow the two-wall principle! Follow official announcements. If you notice a low-flying or suspicious object, do not approach it and call 112.“

• National Armed Forces of Latvia (NBS), June 8, 2026: “Allied fighter jets have successfully shot down a drone that entered Latvia’s airspace.“

• National Armed Forces of Latvia (NBS), June 8, 2026: “NATO iznīcinātāji šorīt neitralizēja ārvalstu dronu, kas krievijas elektromagnētiskās karadarbības rezultātā bija ielidojis Latvijas teritorijā.“ (English: “NATO fighters this morning neutralized a foreign drone that had entered Latvian territory as a result of Russia’s electromagnetic warfare activities.“) #WeAreNATO #StrongerTogether

• National Armed Forces of Latvia (NBS), June 8, 2026: “We inform that the possible threat in the airspace has ended. The National Armed Forces of Latvia inform, that the possible air threat has ended!“

• National Armed Forces of Latvia (NBS), June 8, 2026: “BE PREPARED! We inform you that there is a possible threat in Latvia’s airspace. No further action is required at this time. If the situation changes, you will receive a cell broadcast notification about the situation.“

• Armed Forces of France (État-Major des Armées), June 8, 2026: “Latvia | Destruction of a drone by Rafale jets. Overflight of a drone above Latvian territory. Takeoff on alert of French fighters engaged in the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission from Šiauliai air base. Identification and destruction over an uninhabited area. Demonstration of the French armed forces’ commitment to contributing to the security of Europe’s eastern flank.“

• NATO Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum (JFCBS), June 8, 2026: “When a UAV entered Latvian airspace, NATO air policing forces responded to protect the safety and security of NATO airspace. French Rafale fighters assigned to NATO Baltic Air Policing identified and neutralized the UAV over an uninhabited area. The incident demonstrates NATO readiness and France’s continued contribution to security on NATO’s eastern flank. NATO remains ready, vigilant and united.“