Latvian Defence Minister Resigns After Ukrainian Drones Strike Oil Facility
Latvian Defence Minister Andris Spruds resigned on May 10, 2026, following a security breach in which Ukrainian drones entered Latvian airspace and struck oil storage facilities. The resignation comes as the Baltic state grapples with the security implications of the incident and the effectiveness of its current air defenses.
The leadership change was triggered by Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina, who demanded Spruds’ resignation on Sunday. According to the Prime Minister, the resignation was necessary because anti-drone systems had not been deployed with sufficient speed to prevent the breach. To fill the vacancy, Silina has appointed Latvian army colonel Raivis Melnis as the new defence minister.
The incident occurred on May 8, 2026, when two drones flew across the Russian border and exploded at an oil storage facility in the city of Rezekne. The strike has prompted immediate diplomatic reactions, with two drones crashing in Latvia and causing fires at the depot.
Addressing the incident on Sunday, Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha confirmed via X that the drones were Ukrainian. However, he stated that they entered Latvian territory as a result of “Russian electronic warfare deliberately diverting Ukrainian drones from their targets in Russia.” This development underscores the increasing complexity of the conflict as electronic warfare capabilities potentially shift the trajectory of long-range strikes.
In the wake of the attack, Latvia and Lithuania have called on NATO to increase air defenses in the region to prevent further incursions. The strike highlights the growing vulnerability of Baltic infrastructure to the spillover of the ongoing war. As a gesture of cooperation, Sybiha noted on Friday that Ukraine is considering sending experts to the Baltic states to help strengthen their air security.
The rapid political fallout in Riga, including the resignation of the defence minister, reflects the high stakes of regional security. While some reports suggested drones were likely Ukrainian, the incident serves as a critical reminder of how regional tensions can escalate through technical failures or adversarial interference.
Further details regarding the extent of the damage at the Rezekne facility and the specific nature of the electronic warfare used have not been released.
