Latvia’s Defense Minister Removed After Drone Incident Linked to Ukraine

(MENAFN) Latvia’s Prime Minister Evika Siliņa has dismissed Defense Minister Andris Spruds following an incident in which drones reportedly entered Latvian airspace and struck oil storage facilities, according to official statements.

The prime minister said the event exposed serious shortcomings in national airspace security, stating that the defense leadership failed to ensure “a safe sky” over the country. She also indicated that Spruds had lost both public confidence and political trust.

However, Spruds disputed the circumstances of his removal, claiming that he had already intended to resign. He accused the prime minister of prematurely announcing his dismissal for political reasons and denied being properly informed in advance, including by his own political party.

The incident has drawn attention to broader security concerns in Baltic states amid the ongoing conflict involving Ukraine and Russia. Several NATO member countries in the region have recently reported cases of unidentified or misdirected unmanned aerial vehicles crossing their airspace and, in some instances, crashing or causing damage.

According to Latvian authorities, two drones believed to be of Ukrainian origin entered the country overnight. One reportedly caused a fire near the town of Rezekne, while the other remained unaccounted for. The area is located near the border with Russia.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha acknowledged the situation, stating that discussions had taken place with regional partners and expressing regret toward affected Baltic states and Finland. He also suggested that responsibility for the broader escalation lies with Russia, reflecting the competing narratives surrounding the incident.

The episode underscores increasing regional anxiety over airspace security as the wider conflict continues to generate cross-border risks for neighboring countries.

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