Latvian Defence Minister Resigns after Ukrainian Drones Hit Oil Tanks
By Janis Laizans and Andrius Sytas
Police officer looks towards damage to an oil tank after drones crashed at a storage facility in Rezekne, Latvia, May 7, 2026.
Latvia’s Defence Minister Andris Spruds speaks during a press conference with German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, in Berlin, Germany, March 16, 2026.
RIGA, May 10 (Reuters) – Latvian Defence Minister Andris Spruds resigned on Sunday, after two Ukrainian drones on Thursday flew in from Russia and hit oil storage facilities.
Earlier on Sunday, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina demanded the resignation, saying anti-drone systems had not been deployed fast enough. She appointed Latvian army colonel Raivis Melnis as the new defence minister.
Latvia and Lithuania on Thursday called on NATO to boost air defences in their region after two drones came over the Russian border and exploded at an oil storage facility in Latvia.
Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha on Sunday said on X that the drones were Ukrainian, and flew into Latvia as a result of “Russian electronic warfare deliberately diverting Ukrainian drones from their targets in Russia.”
In response to the drone incidents, Ukraine is considering sending experts to help strengthen air security over the Baltic states, Sybiha said on Friday.
