A French Rafale fighter jet operating under NATO command brought down a drone that crossed into Latvian airspace from Russia on Monday, marking the latest security breach along the alliance eastern frontier.

The Latvian military stated the aircraft entered the country due to Russian electromagnetic interference but stopped short of identifying its operator.

Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs praised the rapid response and professional handling of the situation in a post on X.

A French military spokesman verified that allied aircraft had intercepted an unknown drone, while a NATO representative noted the event underscored the alliance resolve to protect its members.

Latvian Defense Minister Raivis Melnis confirmed that NATO headquarters authorized the final order to engage the target.

Officials reported that Russian electronic warfare activity preceded the drone entry, with the interception occurring at 0705 GMT near Berzekne roughly 30 km inside the border.

No injuries or damage resulted from the incident, according to Melnis.

Residents in eastern districts received earlier alerts to remain indoors during the alert period.

Warnings grow over conflict spreading to alliance territory

Stray military drones near Russia neighbors have raised fears that the Ukraine war could extend across NATO boundaries.

Moldovan authorities recovered pieces of a Ukrainian drone that crossed from Ukraine on the same day and attributed the event to Russian actions tied to the ongoing conflict.

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna observed that the Latvia and Moldova cases illustrate how Russian aggression threatens areas outside Ukraine.

A Latvian army source indicated in May that the country is expanding its counter-drone capabilities.

Ukraine points to Russian jamming as cause of stray flights

Ukraine has intensified long-range drone strikes on Russian targets, including areas near the Baltic Sea, resulting in several devices entering the airspace of Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia.

Kyiv has attributed these deviations to Russian electromagnetic warfare altering drone trajectories.

The French jet involved belongs to the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission that has safeguarded Latvian, Lithuanian, and Estonian skies since 2004.

Current participants also include Romanian and Portuguese F-16 units, with a Romanian aircraft having previously intercepted a suspected Ukrainian drone over Estonia last month.