NATO fighter jets intercepted and shot down a drone over Latvia on Monday, 8 June, following air alerts issued across the eastern regions of Rezekne and Ludza, according to local media reports. The intercept was carried out by French aircraft operating under the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission, underscoring the alliance's heightened posture over the Baltic states.

Background: Latvia's Airspace Crisis

The incident comes weeks after a string of drone incursions triggered a full-blown political crisis in Riga. Repeated violations of Latvian airspace last month forced the resignation of the Minister of Defence, followed by the resignation of Prime Minister Evika Silina — a rare cascade of political consequences stemming directly from aerial security failures. Monday's intercept signals that the threat has not abated.

Russia's Electronic Warfare Tactics

Russia has reportedly intensified efforts to divert Ukrainian drones over Baltic countries through electronic jamming, according to reports. This tactic — redirecting drones rather than destroying them — has complicated air defence responses across the region. On the same night, Moscow reportedly launched 155 drones toward Ukraine; Ukrainian air defence forces shot down 124 of them. The Ukrainian Air Force command confirmed on Telegram that intercepts occurred across the north, south, and east of the country.

E3 Leaders Back Ukraine-Russia Dialogue

Separately, the leaders of Britain, France, and Germany — collectively referred to as the E3 — voiced support for direct talks between Ukraine and Russia following a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in London on Sunday. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz issued a joint statement with Zelensky backing direct negotiations with the active participation of both the United States and Europe.

The four leaders called for an immediate and complete ceasefire, stating that the current line of contact should serve as the starting point for any negotiations. The joint statement also stressed that European security interests must be safeguarded in any eventual agreement, and that matters concerning the European Union and NATO would require the consent of their respective member states.

What Comes Next

The drone intercept over Latvia is the latest indicator that the conflict's aerial dimension is spilling beyond Ukrainian borders. With the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission now actively engaging targets, the alliance's readiness posture in the region faces a new stress test. Diplomatic efforts, meanwhile, remain at an early stage — the E3 statement represents a framework, not a timeline, and Russia has yet to respond publicly to the call for direct talks.