NATO fighters shot down drone over Latvia during attack on Ust-Luga

NATO Baltic Air Policing fighters shot down a drone that entered Latvian airspace on the morning of August 14. The incident occurred amid a massive drone attack on Russia's Leningrad region, where a fire broke out at the port of Ust-Luga after a strike.

Latvia's National Armed Forces warned of an air threat in several eastern districts around 04:00 and urged people to move to safe places. About an hour later, the military reported that allied fighters successfully shot down the drone. The threat was then lifted.

The drone was shot down in Rugāji parish, Balvi municipality. According to Latvian military, debris may have spread over a significant area because the interception occurred at a relatively high altitude. The estimated crash site is near Lake Boževa, about 20 km from the town of Balvi.

The Latvian side describes the aircraft as a foreign drone and does not disclose its type or affiliation. Meanwhile, the National Armed Forces stated that it ended up in the country's airspace as a result of Russian electronic warfare operations.

That same night, drones massively attacked Russia's Leningrad region. Regional governor Alexander Drozdenko claimed 54 drones were downed and confirmed a fire at the port of Ust-Luga near the borders of the Baltic states. Russian authorities did not release data on the extent of damage at that time.

This is already the second case in 2026 when NATO fighters shot down a drone directly in Latvian airspace. On June 8, allied aviation intercepted a drone over Latgale. Then Latvian military also stated that the aircraft deviated from its route due to Russian electronic warfare operations.

Drones have repeatedly entered the Baltic states during attacks on objects in Russia. Latvian military warn that such incidents may recur as long as Russia continues its war against Ukraine and uses electronic warfare means.

Based on materials from: Latvian National Armed Forces, LSM