Latvian Defense Minister Announces Resignation After Drone Crash Incident in Ukraine

Reference News Network reported on May 13 According to RIA Novosti on May 10, Latvian Defense Minister Andris Sprudz announced his resignation after a Ukrainian drone attack damaged an oil storage facility in the country. In a statement, he said, “In recent days and weeks, we have encountered serious drone incidents. Foreign drones should not threaten the safety of our people.”

Reports indicate that Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina stated that Sprudz had lost the trust. She mentioned that Colonel Raivis Meirins, who recently worked in Ukraine, has agreed to take over the position of Defense Minister, which “gives confidence that the defense sector will be led in a professional, goal-oriented manner without campaign slogans.”

According to media reports, a drone crashed on the 7th at a finished oil storage facility in Latvia. The police stated that there were two drones at the time. Sprudz claimed that these drones might have come from Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that Russian forces intercepted six drones attempting to attack St. Petersburg. Five of the drones disappeared near the Latvian city of Rezekne, while another was shot down in Russian airspace. Examination of the wreckage revealed it to be a "Furious" drone. Additionally, Western fighter jets were active in the airspace over Latvia at that time.

Since the end of March, Ukrainian drones have repeatedly entered the territories of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. As the Baltic states decided to allow drones attacking Russia to fly over their airspace, Moscow has issued special warnings to these countries.

Estonia has denied granting such permission and has requested Kyiv to ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future. Finland has also made similar requests, as drones have been found in areas bordering Russia. (Translated by Zhao Zhipeng)