Germany to Deploy Eurofighters to Latvia Ahead of its Elections Amid Drone Incursions Risks

Germany has pledged to deploy four Eurofighter jets to Latvia in an effort to secure the country’s airspace ahead of its parliamentary elections, as drone incidents continue to raise broader security concerns along NATO’s eastern flank. The German Defense Ministry said that the aircraft would be based at Lielvārde Air Base in central Latvia for about a week from late September into early October, according to Politico on Wednesday, Sept. 16.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. The jets – operated by Germany’s Tactical Air Wing 74 from Neuburg an der Donau – will join NATO’s enhanced Air Policing North Mission, part of the alliance’s integrated air and missile defense system. Reportedly, Germany will also send several dozen personnel to Latvia. The deployment follows a previous Latvian request for additional NATO assistance before the Oct. 3 parliamentary vote. Recent drone incursions Latvia has reported several foreign drone incursions in 2026 alone, echoing concerns from EU members who repeatedly warn Russia’s war may spill beyond Ukraine’s borders, particularly as Russia increases its hybrid attacks and sabotage campaigns on Ukraine’s Western allies. According to Politico, NATO Baltic Air Policing fighters shot down a foreign drone over Latvia’s eastern Latgale region in June, which is thought to have entered the country’s airspace due to Russian electronic warfare activity. Other Topics of Interest Russia Fails to Uphold Oleshky Evacuation Deal, Human Rights Commissioner Says Ukrainian officials say civilians are crossing mined fields to flee the occupied frontline town. A second drone was destroyed in August, in Balvi municipality. Allied fighter jets managed to intercept the aircraft after it entered Latvian airspace. “As long as Russia’s aggression against Ukraine continues, similar incidents involving foreign unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) entering or approaching Latvian airspace may occur,” Latvia’s Defense Ministry said following the incursion. In late August, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that Russia is actively preparing for a regional escalation. After a Russian strike hit a Kyiv-Warsaw train carrying Western diplomats near the Polish border, Tusk again warned that Russia’s escalation is “becoming a reality” and could eventually affect Polish and NATO territory. Separately on Wednesday, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda confirmed that a Russian Gerbera drone entered the country’s airspace from Belarus on Tuesday, Sept. 15, carrying an explosive device. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.