NATO jets shoot down drone over Latvia, extending Ukraine spillover fears | Russia-Ukraine war News

French fighter jets shot down a foreign drone in Latvian airspace near the village of Berzgale on Monday, June 8, 2026. The Latvian military attributed the incursion to Russian electronic warfare. The operation, conducted by aircraft from the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission, resulted in no injuries or property damage.

How was the drone incursion handled?

French aircraft took off from the Siauliai airbase in northern Lithuania to intercept the unmanned aerial vehicle. According to Defence Minister Raivis Melnis, the drone was destroyed just after 9 a.m. local time (07:00 GMT) over an uninhabited area.

The drone entered Latvian airspace from Russia and was shot down approximately 30km (18 miles) from the Russian border. Authorities had previously warned some residents in eastern Latvia to shelter in place during the incident.

Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze thanked French allies on social media for the intervention. Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs praised the “swift decision-making and professional action” taken by the military.

Did You Know? The French military jets involved are part of the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission, which has patrolled the skies of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania since they joined NATO in 2004.

Why are these incursions increasing?

The Latvian military suggests the drone entered its airspace as a result of Russian electronic warfare. This pattern aligns with recent events where Moscow has used electronic jamming to deflect drones during Ukrainian attacks.

Moment French fighter jet shoots down drone from Russia in Latvia sparking air threat alerts

Similar incidents occurred recently in other neighboring countries. On Monday, fragments of a Ukrainian drone were found in Moldova, an event officials also blamed on Moscow. Last week, a maritime drone exploded in Romania’s Constanta port; Kyiv later confirmed it was a Ukrainian drone knocked off course by Russian electronic interference.

These events follow a Russian drone strike on an apartment building in eastern Romania in late May that injured two people. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that Russia’s war is “increasingly becoming a direct threat” to countries on the Eastern border.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the use of electronic warfare to displace drones into NATO territory creates a dangerous gray zone. By manipulating flight paths, Moscow may be testing the response times and political resolve of the alliance’s eastern flank without initiating a direct kinetic strike.

What may happen next?

NATO may accelerate the transfer of anti-drone capabilities to member states, following a specific request from Bucharest after the May apartment strike. This could lead to more robust localized defense systems along the eastern border.

Political instability in the region could persist. The frequency of these incursions already contributed to the resignation of former Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina last month.

The French military is likely to maintain its commitment to the security of Europe’s eastern flank, as indicated in their official statement following the Berzgale incident.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly was the drone shot down?
The drone was destroyed near the village of Berzgale, located about 30km (18 miles) from the Russian border.

Which military force intercepted the drone?
French aircraft operating from the Siauliai airbase in northern Lithuania shot down the drone.

What caused the drone to enter Latvian airspace?
The Latvian military stated the drone entered the airspace as a result of Russian electronic warfare.

How should NATO countries balance immediate security responses with the risk of escalating spillover from the Russia-Ukraine war?