Latvia drone: NATO jets scrambled to ‘shoot down threat’ as nation ‘takes shelter’

NATO member Latvia alerted its citizens in part of the country to be “take shelter” after a potential threat was spotted in its airspace as allied forces deployed jets

NATO fighter jets were scrambled after Latvia reported a potential threat entering its airspace with an alert telling locals in the area to “be prepared” and “take shelter” this morning (June 8)

The threat, reportedly a drone with unconfirmed reports it has come from Russia or Belarus, was successfully shot down by NATO jets. This is the latest incident involving drones coming from the conflict zone in Russia and Ukraine.

The National Armed Forces of Latvia, known as the NBS, issued a warning covering Ludza, Balvi, and Alūksne regarding a potential threat to airspace at around 9:20 local time. A broadcasting alert was sent to local residents in those areas with instructions.

The NBS also released a series of posts on X regarding the incident. One said: “POSSIBLE AIR THREAT IN THE LUDZA, BALVI AND ALŪKSNE MUNICIPALITIES

“BE PREPARED! We inform you that there is a possible threat in Latvia’s airspace. No further action is required at this time. If the situation changes, you will receive a cell broadcast notification about the required action.

“The National Armed Forces of Latvia inform of possible air threats in Latvian airspace. No further action is required at this time. If the situation escalates, you will be informed by a notification.”

The NBS then posted that the threat has been shot down with a French flag used on the post, hinting it was there air force called in to aid Latvia with the threat.

The NBS said: “Allied fighter jets have successfully shot down a drone that entered Latvia’s airspace!”

It has since been confirmed that French Rafale fighter jets from NATO’s Baltic Air Policing Mission were invovled.

This incident comes after a Ukrainian maritime drone that was being used in the country’s war against Russia exploded at a Black Sea port in Romania, while three other sea drones exploded outside the port, authorities said. No one was hurt in the blast on Friday (June 5).

The drone that self-detonated in the port of Constanta occurred at around 10.30 am, after the area had been secured and isolated by the Romanian Intelligence Service, coast guard and the Defence Ministry, authorities said.

“Immediately after identifying the drone, the Ministry of Defence contacted its Ukrainian counterparts, who confirmed that they had lost control of the operation of four drones,” the Romanian government said in a statement.

“The other three drones self-detonated — two offshore and the third outside the port.”

“Confirmation of these events came from both the Ukrainian side and from data obtained by the Romanian authorities,” it added.

Romanian President Nicusor Dan said in a statement online that the Ukrainian forces “lost control of the assets as a result of electronic warfare actions” by Russia, “likely jamming”, and that the drone’s incursion into “Romanian sovereign space is a direct consequence of the war waged by Russia” against Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Navy confirmed in a statement that it had lost control of an unmanned naval boat “while performing tasks in the Black Sea operational zone”, and that its military was in contact with Romanian authorities “to prevent losses among the civilian population”.

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