French Rafale Fighter Shoots Down Drone Over Latvia Amid Rising NATO Airspace Incursions
A French Rafale fighter jet, part of the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission, shot down a drone over Latvia. The drone, which entered Latvian airspace from Russia, was intercepted and destroyed over an uninhabited area. This incident is part of a series of drone incursions into NATO airspace, attributed to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The French Air and Space Force confirmed the engagement, highlighting it as a demonstration of their commitment to European security. The incident was captured on video, marking the first time such an event has been visually documented. The Baltic Air Policing mission, which includes French Rafales, Romanian F-16s, and other NATO aircraft, has been active since 2004 to protect the airspace of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. 
