Latvia’s military and Foreign Affairs Minister said on Monday that French fighter jets had shot down a drone that entered its airspace earlier in the day.
Baiba Braže, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Latvia, took to X to “thank our French allies for shooting down the drone that penetrated Latvian airspace.”
The National Armed Forces (NBS) said an airspace warning that had been issued had been lifted by 10:30 am local time.
The NBS sent alerts to mobile phones of citizens living in the eastern municipalities of Ludza, Balvi and Alūksne.
A military spokesperson told the Reuters news agency that the drone entered Latvian airspace from Russia.
The latest incident comes just two weeks after the NBS issued a similar alert to residents after detecting “at least one” unmanned vehicle in Latvian airspace.
In a statement posted to X, the NBS initially warned of a “possible threat” to airspace over the eastern regions of Ludza, Krāslava, Rēzekne, and Augšdaugava, before confirming it had detected a UAV.
“Seek shelter indoors, close windows and doors – follow the two-wall principle,” it told residents.
“If you notice a low-flying, suspicious, or dangerous object, do not approach it and call 112. We will inform you when the threat has ended.”
The NBS said it had deployed additional units to Latvia’s eastern border to strengthen air capabilities.
Europe has been on high alert for weeks after drone flyovers into NATO airspace reached an unprecedented scale last September, prompting European leaders to agree to develop a “drone wall” along their borders to better detect, track, and intercept drones violating Europe’s airspace.
In November, NATO military officials said a new US anti-drone system had been deployed to the alliance’s eastern flank.
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