For the first time, a NATO fighter jet shot down a drone over eastern Latvia, the Latvian military reported on Monday. The incident occurred around 10 a.m. local time.

A French Rafale fighter jet downed the drone that entered Latvian airspace from Russia. Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze thanked France for the action.

The jet is stationed in Siauliai, Lithuania, as part of the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission, which has patrolled the skies of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia since 2004.

The Latvian Defense Ministry said there were no reports of property damage or injuries. The military stated the drone entered Latvian airspace due to "Russian electromagnetic warfare."

In recent months, Latvia has seen an increase in drone incidents. Ukraine has intensified long-range drone attacks on Russia, with some drones straying into Baltic airspace. Kyiv accuses Russia of interfering with drone paths using electromagnetic warfare.

These incidents have triggered a political crisis in Latvia, leading to a change in government. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, several Russian drones have crashed in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

Source: www.dw.com