Latvian Defense Minister Andris Sprūds resigned on May 9, 2026, following an incident where a Ukrainian drone crashed in the eastern part of the country. The drone, which was reportedly on a reconnaissance mission, violated Latvian airspace and landed near the town of Rēzekne, close to the border with Russia.
According to official statements, the drone was unarmed and did not cause any casualties or damage. However, the incursion raised concerns about national security and the effectiveness of Latvia's air defense systems. Sprūds stated that he took responsibility for the incident and submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Evika Siliņa, who accepted it.
The incident has strained relations between Latvia and Ukraine, as Latvia has been a strong supporter of Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. Ukrainian officials apologized for the breach and promised to investigate. The Latvian government has since appointed a temporary defense minister while a permanent replacement is sought.
