Latvian Prime Minister Resigns After Political Crisis Over Stray Ukrainian Drones

Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa has resigned following a political crisis triggered by the incursion of suspected Ukrainian drones into Latvian territory earlier this month.

The resignation came after Siliņa dismissed Defence Minister Andris Sprūds over his handling of the drone incidents, sparking a coalition collapse just months ahead of Latvia’s planned general election in October.

The political turmoil began after three drones entered Latvian airspace on 7 May, marking the second such incident involving suspected Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles in 2026. Authorities in both Latvia and Ukraine said the drones were likely intended for operations targeting Russia but may have veered off course after their navigation systems were disrupted by electronic jamming.

One of the drones crashed in eastern Latvia, while another struck an unused oil storage facility near the town of Rezekne. A third drone briefly crossed into Latvian airspace before leaving the area. No injuries or fatalities were reported.

However, the incidents triggered criticism from local residents and opposition figures, who accused authorities of responding too slowly. Residents near Rezekne claimed the country’s emergency alert system was not activated until nearly an hour after one of the drones crashed nearby, raising concerns about Latvia’s preparedness for aerial security threats.

In response to the backlash, Siliņa removed Sprūds from his post last week, arguing that the government’s response had been inadequate. But the move deepened tensions within the ruling coalition after Sprūds’s political party, The Progressives, withdrew its support for the government in protest, leaving the coalition without a parliamentary majority.

Announcing her resignation on Thursday, Siliņa defended her actions and accused political opponents of exploiting the situation.

“Seeing a strong candidate for the post of defence minister… political windbags have chosen a crisis,” she said. “I am resigning but I am not giving up.”

The crisis highlights growing regional tensions linked to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, particularly among countries bordering Russia and Belarus. Latvia, a NATO member and strong supporter of Ukraine, has repeatedly expressed concerns over the security risks posed by the conflict spilling across borders.

The drone incidents have renewed debates in Latvia over air defence systems, emergency response capabilities, and the wider security challenges facing Baltic states as the war in Ukraine continues.

Siliņa’s resignation now throws Latvia’s political landscape into uncertainty ahead of the October elections, with coalition negotiations expected to begin in the coming days as parties seek to form a new government