NATO fighters shot down a drone that entered Latvian airspace, in a new episode that raised alarms on the eastern flank of the Atlantic Alliance and forced the population to seek shelter during the early morning hours
The incident occurred early Friday in the northeast of the country, in the Balvi region, where aircraft from NATO's Baltic Air Policing Mission intercepted and destroyed the unmanned aerial vehicle. According to the Latvian Armed Forces, the drone reportedly entered national airspace as a result of electronic warfare countermeasures employed by Russia in the context of the war in Ukraine
After the shootdown, soldiers and police forces were deployed to locate the wreckage of the aircraft and determine its trajectory and origin more precisely
Alarms sounded and hundreds of people sought shelter
The situation generated particular concern as it occurred around 4 a.m., when hundreds of pilgrims were gathered in the area for one of the main Catholic religious celebrations in Northern Europe
Mobile phone alarms began to sound and authorities issued a warning about a possible threat to airspace in the regions of Augšdaugava, Preiļi, Rēzekne, Balvi, and Alūksne
In response to the alert, numerous people had to take refuge while authorities assessed the situation and deployed forces to locate the drone's wreckage
The episode highlighted the risk posed by the expansion of the effects of the war between Russia and Ukraine into the territory of NATO member countries
This is the second time NATO has shot down a drone in Latvia this year
This Friday's incident is not an isolated event. It is the second occasion this year that NATO aircraft have intercepted and shot down a diverted drone that entered Latvian airspace
