A French military jet operating under NATO command shot down an unidentified drone in Latvian airspace, according to the Latvian army.

The incident occurred as part of ongoing NATO air policing operations in the Baltic region. The French aircraft was conducting a routine mission when it encountered and engaged the drone.

Latvia, which borders both Russia and Belarus, has experienced multiple drone incursions in recent months alongside other countries in the region. These incidents have raised security concerns among NATO allies as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues.

The Baltic states of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia rely on NATO allies to patrol their airspace, as the small nations do not maintain fighter aircraft of their own. France is among several NATO countries that regularly rotate through the air policing mission.

Latvian officials have not disclosed the origin or intended purpose of the intercepted drone. The incident reflects broader regional tensions as countries neighboring the Russia-Ukraine conflict zone report increased unauthorized aircraft activity.