Fighter jet scrambled to shoot down Russian drone over NATO airspace

The drone was shot down

Fighter jets were scrambled this morning after a Russian drone incurred on NATO airspace.

Latvia reported that NATO fighters were sent up to deal with the issue.

This came just a short while after the Latvian military issued an air threat alert for three areas near the border with Russia which posed a "possible threat".

Residents of the Ludza, Balvi and Aluksne municipalities were told to "seek safe place indoors and follow the two-wall principle".

Latvia's defence ministry said fighter jets from the NATO Baltic air policing mission shot down a drone over the eastern Latgale region "that had entered Latvia as a result of Russian electromagnetic warfare".

It did not say where the drone was suspected to have come from.

On their website, the defence ministry released a statement which read:

"The National Armed Forces inform that in Latvian airspace, over the Latgale region, fighter jets from the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission shot down a foreign unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) that had entered Latvia as a result of Russian electromagnetic warfare.

"At the same time, the National Armed Forces report that the announced airspace threats in the Alūksne, Ludza, Balvi, and Rēzekne municipalities have ended.

"As previously reported, fighter jets from the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission were scrambled in response to the threat in Latvian airspace.

"The National Armed Forces, together with NATO allies, continuously monitor the airspace to ensure the capability to respond immediately to potential threats. The National Armed Forces have strengthened air defense capabilities along the eastern border by deploying additional units.

"As long as Russia's aggression in Ukraine continues, the recurrence of incidents where a foreign unmanned aerial vehicle enters or approaches Latvian airspace remains possible."

It's the latest drone incursion in recent weeks following an incident last week which saw a drone hit an apartment block in Romania.

A week after drone strike in Romania

Last week, NATO condemned a Russia drone strike which hit an apartment building in Romania, a member of the alliance.

A Russia drone which - as per Romanian authorities was part of an attack on Ukraine - hit a Romanian block of flats, injuring two people and causing a fire.

The incident happened in the eastern Romanian city of Galați near the tripoint between Ukraine, Moldova and Romania.

In response, F-16 fighter jets were scrambled by the NATO nation.

Romania's Foreign Minister Toiu Oana described the incident as a "serious and irresponsible escalation" from the Russian Federation.

She wrote on X: "This incident represents a serious and irresponsible escalation on the part of the Russian Federation. Romania will take the necessary diplomatic measures in response to this serious violation of international law and its airspace.

"Romania has informed the Allies and the NATO Secretary General of the circumstances and has requested measures to accelerate the transfer of anti-drone capabilities to Romania.

"The Russian Federation continues to be an aggressor state waging an illegal war with serious implications for regional security and the safety of citizens.

"The Russian Federation bears direct responsibility for these serious and irresponsible actions.

"Romania will act with the utmost firmness to increase international pressure on the Russian Federation for an immediate and comprehensive cessation of hostilities."