Latvian PM Steps Down Following Fallout Over Stray Ukrainian Drones

Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa has resigned following a political crisis triggered by the government’s handling of stray drones believed to have originated from Ukraine and entered Latvian territory from Russia.

Siliņa announced her resignation on Thursday after her coalition government lost its parliamentary majority when the left-leaning Progressives party withdrew support from the administration.

The crisis intensified after Defence Minister Andris Sprūds was forced to resign over criticism surrounding Latvia’s response to multiple drone incidents near the Russian border. The drones reportedly crossed into Latvian airspace earlier this month, with one crashing at an oil storage facility in the eastern city of Rēzekne.

Latvian officials said the drones were likely Ukrainian drones targeting sites inside Russia that were diverted into Latvian territory, possibly due to Russian electronic warfare interference.

The incidents sparked concerns over Latvia’s air defense preparedness and the government’s ability to protect NATO airspace. Critics accused authorities of responding too slowly and failing to provide timely public warnings during the incursions.

Siliņa defended her decision to dismiss Sprūds, saying the incidents exposed failures within the defense sector and weakened public confidence in national security systems. However, the move deepened divisions within the ruling coalition, eventually leading to the government’s collapse.

In a statement announcing her resignation, Siliņa described the decision as “difficult but honest,” while accusing political allies of prioritizing narrow political interests over national stability.

Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs is expected to begin consultations with parliamentary parties to appoint a new prime minister and form the next government ahead of national elections scheduled for October.

The political turmoil comes as Latvia and other Baltic states remain on high alert over regional security threats linked to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. NATO has increased military activity and air surveillance across the Baltic region in response to repeated drone and airspace incidents near member states bordering Russia.

Ukraine has reportedly offered technical assistance to Latvia to help strengthen anti-drone and air defense systems following the incidents.