NATO fighters operating on an air defense mission shot down a drone that entered Latvian airspace early on August 14, 2026. Latvia’s National Armed Forces stated that allied fighters intercepted and destroyed the drone following an air threat alert issued for regions near the Russian border. The threat alert was subsequently lifted.
In response to security concerns surrounding the airspace incursion, neighboring Finland temporarily restricted aviation and maritime traffic in the eastern Gulf of Finland. The precautionary measures were put in place to manage potential risks in border areas.
Latvian authorities have not yet identified the specific type of drone, its operator, or its point of origin. Investigations into the incident remain ongoing.
