NATO fighter jets shot down a drone that entered Latvian airspace on Friday, marking the second such incident in three months and raising fresh concerns over unauthorised aerial activity near the military alliance’s eastern border. NATO said it had launched an investigation into the incident as tensions remain high across Europe amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

The drone entered Latvian airspace along NATO’s eastern flank, which borders Russia. The military alliance confirmed that its fighter aircraft responded to the intrusion and brought down the drone. A NATO spokesperson said an investigation was underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine the origin and purpose of the unmanned aircraft.

Latvia’s defence ministry confirmed that Friday’s incident was the second time a drone of this nature had been shot down in the country’s airspace. The first reported incident occurred in June, when NATO fighter jets also intercepted and shot down a foreign drone after it entered Latvian territory.

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The repeated incidents have increased concerns among European countries over the possibility of drones crossing national borders as the war in Ukraine continues. NATO’s eastern members have remained particularly alert to unauthorised aircraft activity because of their proximity to Russia and the wider security risks created by the conflict.

Drones have become a central feature of the Russia-Ukraine war, with both sides making extensive use of unmanned aircraft for surveillance and attacks. The widespread deployment of drones has also increased the possibility of aircraft entering neighbouring countries’ airspace, either deliberately or accidentally, creating additional challenges for countries bordering the conflict zone.

The latest incident is likely to draw further attention to NATO’s air-policing operations along its eastern flank. While the circumstances surrounding the Latvian drone intrusion remain under investigation, the repeated use of fighter jets to respond to such incidents highlights the heightened security environment facing NATO members as the war in Ukraine continues.

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