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Italian NATO Fighter Shoots Down Drone Over Latvia

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An Italian Eurofighter jet operating under NATO command shot down a drone after it entered Latvian airspace on Friday, according to NATO and Latvian authorities. The drone’s origin remains unknown, with Latvian National Guard troops searching a wooded area near Rugaji, about 35 km from the Russian border, for possible debris from the aircraft.

Two Italian Eurofighters scrambled from Lithuania, while two Turkish F-16s were also deployed from Estonia after the drone was detected. NATO said one of the Italian jets identified and destroyed the drone, adding that an investigation was underway and that it remained in close contact with Latvian authorities. The incident comes amid growing concerns over drone incursions into the airspace of NATO’s Baltic members, which border Russia and are close to the war in Ukraine.

A Romanian F-16 shot down a Ukrainian drone over Estonia in May, while a French Rafale destroyed another drone in Latvia in June. Finland also temporarily restricted some aviation and maritime activity in the eastern Gulf of Finland as a precaution.

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Poland and Baltics Tighten Infrastructure Security Amid Russian False-Flag Fears

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Poland and the Baltic states are strengthening security around critical infrastructure amid concerns that Russia could stage a false-flag attack using Ukrainian-made drones. Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland have increased protection around power plants, gas facilities, dams and other strategic sites, as officials warn of potential sabotage aimed at testing NATO’s response.

Lithuania has deployed military personnel to help protect key energy facilities, including its liquefied natural gas terminal, oil products terminal, a major power link with Poland and the Kruonis pumped-storage plant. Latvia has also stepped up security around critical infrastructure, including a major dam near Riga and an underground gas storage facility. Poland is reviewing alternative gas supply routes and increasing protection around energy infrastructure and its planned first nuclear power plant.

Regional officials said intelligence assessments have raised concerns that a potential attack could create political confusion within NATO over how to respond. Russia has rejected the allegations, describing warnings of secret Russian attacks as “scare stories” and accusing Western countries of making claims without evidence. Officials across the region say they are maintaining heightened vigilance as tensions with Moscow remain high.

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Bus Driver Knocks Explosive Drone Away at German Airport

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A bus driver at Leipzig/Halle Airport in Germany reportedly kicked an explosive-laden drone out of the air after spotting it flying at low altitude, potentially preventing a major attack, a senior German lawmaker said. The drone crashed nearby and was later found to have been equipped with professional explosives and a detonator. Authorities have launched a counterterrorism investigation into the incident.

Leipzig/Halle is an important cargo and military logistics hub, serving as the main operational base for NATO’s Strategic Airlift International Solution and handling operations for companies including DHL. German media reported that the drone was found close to Ukrainian Antonov An-124 cargo aircraft. Authorities have not identified the drone’s origin or explained how it entered the airport’s restricted area.

Officials praised the driver’s bravery but warned that his actions were extremely dangerous and should not be repeated. Saxony’s Interior Minister Armin Schuster said alerting authorities would have been sufficient. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has also discussed the incident with senior government officials as investigators examine whether the drone was part of a planned attack.

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Romania Shoots Down Second Drone After Airspace Breach

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Romania said it shot down a second drone that entered its airspace in two days near the border with Ukraine. The drone was detected by radar on Saturday morning over a sparsely populated area in the Danube Delta, prompting the Romanian military to scramble two F-16 fighter jets before it was brought down.

The incident follows Friday’s interception of another drone, which Romanian prosecutors identified as Russian. It marked the first time Romania, a NATO member, had actively shot down a drone after experiencing dozens of airspace breaches since Russia intensified attacks on Ukrainian ports along the Danube River in 2022.

Romanian officials say drone incursions have become more frequent as Russian strikes around Ukraine’s Odesa region increase ahead of the harvest season. The growing attacks are raising concerns over security, energy supplies, and key trade routes in the Black Sea region.

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France Showcases Support for Ukraine at Bastille Day Parade

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France used its annual Bastille Day parade to highlight European unity and support for Ukraine, with around 500 troops from the “Coalition of the Willing” marching along the Champs-Elysees in Paris. The parade also featured about 25 Ukrainian soldiers and came a day after President Volodymyr Zelenskiy joined more than 25 world leaders in Paris for a summit focused on strengthening support for Ukraine amid its ongoing war with Russia.

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed leaders including Ukrainian President Zelenskiy, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to the national day celebrations. The event also included a joint fly-past by French and allied European aircraft, with Mirage fighter jets flown alongside Ukrainian co-pilots currently undergoing training. France described the international participation as a symbol of Europe’s growing commitment to collective security.

The display came as European allies announced a new air defence coalition to help Ukraine counter intensified Russian attacks and ammunition shortages. The Kremlin criticised the Paris gathering, calling the coalition “hostile.” Speaking ahead of the parade, Macron said Europe faces its most serious security challenges in decades and must be prepared to defend its values, freedom, and security if necessary.

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Ukrainian Drone Strike on Moscow Refinery Highlights War’s Growing Impact Inside Russia

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A major Ukrainian drone attack on the Moscow region has brought the realities of the war closer to Russia’s capital, striking an oil refinery and causing visible disruption across parts of the city. Thick black smoke rose over the skyline following the attack, while reports indicated that residential buildings and commercial properties were also affected. Local authorities said an eight-year-old girl was killed in a fire linked to the strikes.

The attack is being described as one of the largest aerial assaults on the Moscow region since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. While many residents have grown accustomed to periodic drone attacks and security incidents, the strike underscored the increasing reach of the conflict into Russian territory. Some residents expressed shock at the scale of the attack, while others viewed it as part of a new normal created by the prolonged war.

Russian officials and state media sought to downplay the impact, emphasizing that Russia’s military operations in Ukraine remain more extensive and effective. However, repeated attacks on energy infrastructure, including oil facilities, have raised concerns about economic pressure, fuel shortages, and rising costs. Despite the growing frequency of such incidents, the Kremlin has signalled no change in its military strategy and remains committed to continuing the conflict.

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Croatia Reintroduces Conscription as Hundreds of Teenagers Begin Military Training

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Hundreds of teenagers in Croatia have begun compulsory military service after the government reinstated conscription for the first time since it was abolished in 2008. Around 800 recruits reported to army barracks across the country, where they received their equipment and accommodation assignments before starting two months of training. Officials said more than half of the recruits volunteered for the programme, while about 10% of them are women, who are not required to serve under the new policy.

According to the Armed Forces of Croatia, the training programme will combine traditional military drills with modern defence skills such as drone operation, cyberwarfare basics and counter-drone protection. Chief of the General Staff Tihomir Kundid said recruits would be gradually introduced to military discipline to avoid excessive stress. The government also confirmed that only a small number of people have registered as conscientious objectors, who will instead complete four months of civilian service with lower financial allowances.

Officials say the decision to restore conscription reflects growing security concerns in Europe following the war in Ukraine. Defence Minister Ivan Anusic noted that the region’s security environment has changed significantly in recent years, prompting Croatia to strengthen its defence readiness. The move also reflects a broader trend across Europe, with several NATO member states reintroducing or maintaining mandatory military service amid rising geopolitical tensions.

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German Intelligence Alleges Russia Concealing True War-Related Budget Deficit

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Germany’s foreign intelligence service, Federal Intelligence Service (BND), has accused Moscow of understating the economic toll of its war in Ukraine, estimating that Russia’s 2025 budget deficit is significantly higher than officially reported. In a LinkedIn post, the BND said the actual federal deficit stood at 8.01 trillion roubles, compared with the official figure of 5.65 trillion roubles, or 2.6% of GDP. The agency claimed the shortfall was about 2.36 trillion roubles ($30.45 billion) greater than acknowledged by Russian authorities.

The BND said Western sanctions were having a “clear effect” on the Russian economy, compounded by sharply lower oil and gas revenues due to falling global energy prices. According to the agency, Russia has been forced to sell oil at steep discounts amid sanctions and pressure from the United States on key buyers. It also estimated that Russia’s consolidated budget deficit, including regional accounts, widened to 8.3 trillion roubles in 2025, or 3.9% of GDP — more than double the level recorded in 2024.

The Kremlin dismissed concerns about deteriorating public finances, describing falling revenues and a widening deficit as “routine difficulties” that could be managed thanks to overall macroeconomic stability. Russia’s Finance Ministry has not publicly responded to the BND’s assessment. Although global oil prices have recently risen following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, Reuters calculations suggest the rebound remains insufficient to balance Russia’s budget.

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France Unveils Voluntary Military Service to Boost National Readiness

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France has launched a nationwide recruitment drive for a new 10-month voluntary military service aimed at strengthening the country’s ability to respond to growing security and civil-defence challenges. The programme, announced by President Emmanuel Macron last year, will begin in September and is open to French citizens aged 18 to 25 who want to contribute to national resilience in an increasingly uncertain global environment.

Under the scheme, 3,000 young people will join the army, navy or air force from September, with numbers rising to 4,000 in 2027 and up to 10,000 a year by 2030. Participants will earn about 800 euros a month and carry out a wide range of tasks, including disaster relief, counter-terrorism surveillance and technical roles such as drone operation, mechanical work, medical support and logistics.

The initiative is part of a wider European shift as countries reassess their defence needs amid concerns about Russia and uncertainty over long-term U.S. security commitments. French Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin said the programme supports a move toward a more flexible “hybrid” military model, with recruits free to return to civilian life, join the reserves or pursue full-time service after completing their term.

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Putin Says Russia Will Avoid Future Wars If West Shows Respect

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Russia would not launch any new wars after Ukraine if Western countries treat Moscow with respect and acknowledge its security interests. Speaking during his annual “Direct Line” televised marathon, Putin dismissed claims that Russia plans to attack Europe as “nonsense” and said further military operations could be avoided if the West stopped what he described as deception, particularly over Nato’s eastward expansion.

Answering questions from the BBC and other international journalists, Putin repeated that Russia was open to ending the war in Ukraine “peacefully,” but only on its own terms. He reiterated demands that Ukrainian forces withdraw from regions partially occupied by Russia and abandon efforts to join Nato. Putin also claimed Russian forces were advancing on the battlefield and insisted that responsibility for blocking peace lay with Western governments and Ukraine’s European backers, not Moscow.

The lengthy broadcast, which mixed foreign policy with domestic concerns, came as fighting in Ukraine continued, with Ukrainian officials reporting deadly Russian missile strikes hours after the event. Putin acknowledged economic pressures at home, including rising prices and higher taxes, while portraying Russia as resilient. He concluded by saying Russia was ready to cooperate with the US, Europe, and the UK as equals, provided its long-term security was guaranteed, accusing the West of deliberately turning Russia into an enemy.

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