NATO concluded a major anti-drone exercise this week, with Ukraine taking part for the first time as the Western alliance seeks to learn urgently from the rapid development and widespread use of unmanned systems in the war there.

The Netherlands is hosting an exercise under the auspices of the North Atlantic Alliance to test counter-drone systems, running until 20. This is the first time Ukraine has participated in the exercise.

Earlier this month, NATO states Romania and Latvia saw Russian drones crash after breaching their airspace, prompting official calls for measures to act jointly to counter Russia air incursions.

The Bucharest 9 group of countries said there was "profound concern" at Russian drones landing in territories neighboring Ukraine.

Latvia’s president said NATO needs to have the ability to shoot down Russian drones that stray into member states’ territory as he called for increased air defenses on the alliance’s eastern flank.