Servicemen of the Latvian National Guard walk on a field as they search for the debris from an intercepted drone in Rugaji, Latvia, on August 14, 2026. (Photo: REUTERS/Janis Laizans)
Servicemen of the Latvian National Guard walk on a field as they search for the debris from an intercepted drone in Rugaji, Latvia, on August 14, 2026. (Photo: REUTERS/Janis Laizans)

The UAV was detected in eastern Latvia, about 35 kilometers from the Russian border. NATO’s two Eurofighters and two F-16s intercepted and destroyed the drone. Latvian troops are searching for debris from the drone. Latvian authorities said electromagnetic warfare caused the drone to enter the country's airspace.

Amid the increasing use of UAVs in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, such incidents are raising the risk of drones entering NATO members' airspace. NATO said it is tightening its surveillance network and stands ready to defend its eastern flank.