Riga, Latvia - NATO fighter jets shot down a drone that entered Latvian airspace, a spokesperson from the alliance said on Friday, confirming earlier statements by Latvia's defense ministry and military.
The military alliance has launched an investigation, the spokesperson added, as concerns grow in Europe over unauthorized drone activity – particularly along its eastern flank bordering Russia, whose war in Ukraine grinds on.
Both Russia and Ukraine are heavily relying on drones to launch attacks. It was not immediately clear where the drone shot down over Latvia had come from.
"We can confirm that two Italian Eurofighter jets were scrambled earlier today in response to a drone over Latvian airspace. One of the Eurofighters shot down the drone," a NATO spokesperson told AFP, adding that "two Turkish F-16 fighter jets were also scrambled."
"All aircraft were operating under NATO command," the spokesperson said, confirming that "an investigation is ongoing" into the matter.
Earlier on Friday, Latvia's defense ministry wrote on X that NATO "fighter jets have successfully shot down a foreign unmanned aerial vehicle that had entered Latvia as a result of Russian electromagnetic warfare."
The EU and NATO member state of about 1.9 million inhabitants shares a border with Russia to the east.
It and other countries along NATO's eastern flank, including Romania and Poland, have suffered repeated incursions into their airspace.
At a meeting on Wednesday, NATO allies reiterated that Russia bears full responsibility for the airspace violations, which it said are dangerous and unacceptable, and demonstrate Russia's increasing tolerance for risk.
Finland also imposed temporary aviation and maritime restrictions in the eastern Gulf of Finland on Friday, its defense forces said on X.
It described the move as a precautionary measure aimed at ensuring the safety of bystanders and the operational capabilities of authorities to counter potential drones.