Riga [Latvia], June 9: NATO combat jets shot down a drone after it entered Latvian airspace, the country's military said on Monday.
The drone was a foreign aircraft that ended up in Latvian airspace as a result of "Russian electromagnetic warfare," the military said. No further details regarding the origin or type of aircraft were initially available.
French Rafale jets brought the aircraft down, a statement from Latvia's armed forces and the French air force said.
It was shot down at 10:05 am (0705 GMT) over the municipality of Berzgale in the east of the country, Brigadier General Kaspars Zdanovskis said at a press conference with Defence Minister Raivis Melnis. Melnis did not confirm that the drone was shot down by a French fighter jet, as had been widely reported.
The exact crash site was still unclear. There were initially no reports of injuries or damage, he said. The search for debris was under way, he said.
Residents told Latvian radio that fighter jets had flown over the area several times and that they had later heard a loud explosion.
Residents in several eastern regions had previously been warned of a potential airspace threat. In two regions, residents had been asked to seek shelter.
The air raid alarm was lifted again after the drone had been shot down.
Source: Qatar Tribune
