Trending Now - Latvian Prime Minister Steps Down Amid Drone Controversy

WHO:

ABC News - Latvian center-right Prime Minister Evika Silina announced her resignation.

ABC News - Andris Spruds, Latvia’s Defense Minister, was forced to resign.

WHAT:

France 24 - The drones that crashed in Latvia were on an attack mission across the border in Russia and crashed into Latvian territory on May 7 after being electronically diverted by the Russian military.

France 24 - Silina stated, "We are fully aware of the times we are all living in," referring to the security situation in Europe due to the war in Ukraine.

France 24 - Latvia's government will remain in a caretaker role until a replacement is sworn in.

France 24 - A Ukrainian drone fell in Latvia on March 25, indicating ongoing drone intrusions in the region.

DW.com - Silina stated, "My priority now and always has been the well-being and security of the people of Latvia. Parties and coalitions change, but Latvia remains."

DW.com - Silina's center-right New Unity party was the largest in the coalition with 25 seats, followed by the ZZS Union of Greens and Farmers with 16 seats, and the Progressives with 9 seats.

DW.com - Elections were scheduled for October of this year, indicating an early start to the campaign due to the controversy.

DW.com - Evika Silina stated, "I am resigning, but I am not giving up," during her televised resignation announcement.

DW.com - Silina indicated that she had taken on the role of defense minister herself on an interim basis after forcing Andris Spruds to resign.

DW.com - One of the stray drones caused a fire at a disused oil storage site in eastern Latvia.

ABC News - Evika Silina's resignation followed the withdrawal of support from the left-wing Progressives Party.

BBC News - Drones bound for Russia crashed down in Latvia, leading to political fallout.

WHERE:

ABC News - The events took place in Latvia.

WHEN:

DW.com - Latvian President Edgar Rinkevics is scheduled to meet representatives of all parliamentary parties on Friday.

ABC News - The announcement of Silina's resignation occurred on a Thursday.

ABC News - The Progressives Party withdrew its support on a Wednesday.

WHY:

ABC News - The government's handling of multiple incidents involving stray Ukrainian drones crossing into Latvian territory prompted the political crisis.

HOW:

France 24 - Following talks with Rinkevics at a summit in Bucharest, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky stated he would send experts to Latvia to assist with their air defenses.

DW.com - The Progressives rejected Silina's suggestion of a military officer to replace Spruds as defense minister.

ABC News - The withdrawal of support from the Progressives Party left Silina without a majority in the government.

(UPDATED May 15, 2026 06:12 UTC)

Drones that crashed in Latvia were on an attack mission across the border in Russia when they were electronically diverted by the Russian military, leading to their crash on Latvian territory on May 7. Latvia's government will remain in a caretaker role until a replacement is sworn in, and President Zelensky of Ukraine has announced plans to send experts to Latvia to assist with air defenses following discussions with Rinkevics at a summit in Bucharest. Silina emphasized the heightened security situation in Europe due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, highlighting the region's vulnerability, especially after a Ukrainian drone fell in Latvia on March 25.

(UPDATED May 14, 2026 23:19 UTC)

Latvia's Prime Minister, Krišjānis Kariņš, has announced that his priority remains the well-being and security of the Latvian people, emphasizing that while parties and coalitions may change, Latvia itself endures. His center-right New Unity party leads the coalition with 25 seats, followed by the ZZS Union of Greens and Farmers with 16 seats, and the Progressives holding 9 seats. With elections set for October of this year, the campaign is expected to kick off earlier than usual due to ongoing controversies.

(UPDATED May 14, 2026 17:35 UTC)

Evika Silina announced her resignation during a televised address, stating, "I am resigning, but I am not giving up," while also taking on the role of defense minister on an interim basis after Andris Spruds stepped down. In other news, a stray drone has ignited a fire at a disused oil storage site in eastern Latvia. Looking ahead, Latvian President Edgar Rinkevics is set to meet with representatives from all parliamentary parties on Friday.

(UPDATED May 14, 2026 13:28 UTC)

Latvia is facing a significant political upheaval as Prime Minister Evika Silina has announced her resignation, following the withdrawal of support from the left-wing Progressives Party, which left her without a majority in the government. In addition, Defense Minister Andris Spruds has also been forced to resign amid the fallout from incidents involving stray Ukrainian drones crossing into Latvian territory. The situation escalated after drones bound for Russia crashed down in Latvia, triggering a political crisis that has now led to these high-profile resignations.