Trending Now - Top Defense Official Resigns After Ukrainian Drone Incursion

WHO:

Defense News - Latvia’s minister of defense, Andris Sprūds, resigned following a drone incident.

Defense News - Latvia’s prime minister, Evika Siliņa, stated that Sprūds had lost her trust and that of the public.

Defense News - Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, confirmed the drones were sent by Ukraine.

WHAT:

Defense News - Two Ukrainian drones entered Latvia from Russian airspace and struck an empty fuel depot.

Defense News - The incident occurred 40 kilometers into Latvian territory from the Russian border, damaging four empty oil storage tanks.

Defense News - Firefighters extinguished a smoldering area of around 30 square meters following the strike.

Defense News - Schools in Rēzekne were closed, and air raid alerts were declared across three municipalities.

Defense News - French NATO Baltic Air Policing jets were scrambled during the alert.

WHERE:

Defense News - The incident took place in Latvia, specifically in Rēzekne and near the Russian border.

WHEN:

Defense News - The drone strike occurred on May 7, 2026.

Defense News - Andris Sprūds resigned on the same day as the incident, which was a Sunday.

WHY:

Defense News - The resignation of Andris Sprūds was prompted by the incident and the loss of trust from the prime minister and the public.

Defense News - Andrii Sybiha stated that the drones missed their intended targets due to Russian electronic warfare diverting them.

HOW:

Defense News - Latvian officials initially did not shoot down the drones due to concerns for civilian safety and infrastructure but later stated that drones must be shot down as a responsibility of military leadership.

(UPDATED May 11, 2026 17:44 UTC)

Latvia's minister of defense, Andris Sprūds, has resigned following a drone incident in which two Ukrainian drones crossed into Latvian territory from Russian airspace and struck an empty fuel depot, damaging four oil storage tanks. Prime Minister Evika Siliņa expressed that Sprūds had lost her trust and that of the public, while Ukraine's foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, confirmed that the drones were indeed sent by Ukraine but missed their intended targets due to Russian electronic warfare. In response to the incident, schools in Rēzekne were closed, air raid alerts were declared across three municipalities, and French NATO Baltic Air Policing jets were scrambled.