A foreign drone that entered Latvia's eastern airspace was shot down by several Italian Eurofighters engaged in the Alliance's air defense mission in the Baltics. The incident occurred yesterday, and according to the Latvian Ministry of Defense, the aircraft's entry into national airspace near the municipality of Balvi was a result of Russian electronic warfare.

At the same time, the National Armed Forces announced that the airspace threats reported in the municipalities of Augsdaugava, Preili, Rezekne, Balvi and Aluksne ceased at 4:50 a.m.

“Fighters from NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission have been mobilized in response to the threat in Latvian airspace,” the Latvian Ministry of Defense reported.

Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze confirmed Italy's involvement: "We are grateful to our Italian allies for their contribution to NATO's air defense mission in the Baltics and for maintaining the integrity of NATO airspace. Last night, a foreign drone was shot down by our Italian allies over eastern Latvia," Braze wrote on X.

NATO spokeswoman Allison Hart also confirmed that the drone that had violated Latvian airspace had been shot down by an Italian Eurofighter, operating under NATO command as part of the Baltic Air Policing mission, which is aimed at ensuring the safety of the region's airspace.

(Unioneonline/D)

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