On August 14, 2026, in the early hours, NATO allied fighter jets shot down a drone that entered Latvian airspace in Balvi region, north-east Latvia. The National Armed Forces (NBS) confirmed the drone was shot down in Balvi municipality, Rugāji parish territory, near Lake Boževa, approximately 20 kilometers from Balvi city. The drone was downed at high altitude, and debris may be scattered over a wide area. An orange airspace alert was active from shortly before 04:00 until about 05:00 covering Augšdaugava, Preiļi, Rēzekne, Balvi, and Alūksne regions, accompanied by mobile phone alerts to local residents. The NATO Baltic air policing mission was redesignated an air defense mission on August 1, 2026, with Turkish Air Force in Estonia and Italian Air Force in Lithuania currently deployed. The drone was shot down by an Italian jet. The event briefly disrupted pilgrim gatherings in Aglona on August 15, 2026, who sought shelter. The drone's origin is unknown, though Ukrainian drones have previously been deflected into Latvian territory by Russian countermeasures. Multiple prior drone incidents in Latvia occurred in 2026, including drone crashes in March, May, and June, with a previous drone shot down by French allied jets on June 8, 2026. NBS advises the public not to approach suspicious objects and provides detailed safety instructions in case of air threats.

On August 14, 2026, in the early hours, NATO allied fighter jets shot down a drone that entered Latvian airspace in Balvi region, north-east Latvia. The National Armed Forces (NBS) confirmed the drone was shot down in Balvi municipality, Rugāji parish territory, near Lake Boževa, approximately 20 kilometers from Balvi city. The drone was downed at high altitude, and debris may be scattered over a wide area. An orange airspace alert was active from shortly before 04:00 until about 05:00 covering Augšdaugava, Preiļi, Rēzekne, Balvi, and Alūksne regions, accompanied by mobile phone alerts to local residents. The NATO Baltic air policing mission was redesignated an air defense mission on August 1, 2026, with Turkish Air Force in Estonia and Italian Air Force in Lithuania currently deployed. The drone was shot down by an Italian jet. The event briefly disrupted pilgrim gatherings in Aglona on August 15, 2026, who sought shelter. The drone's origin is unknown, though Ukrainian drones have previously been deflected into Latvian territory by Russian countermeasures. Multiple prior drone incidents in Latvia occurred in 2026, including drone crashes in March, May, and June, with a previous drone shot down by French allied jets on June 8, 2026. NBS advises the public not to approach suspicious objects and provides detailed safety instructions in case of air threats.