Latvian minister quits as Ukraine drones hit oil tanks

Andris Spruds
Latvian Defence Minister Andris Spruds ‌quit after anti-drone ‌systems failed on Ukrainian drones. -EPA

Latvian Defence Minister Andris Spruds ‌has resigned after two Ukrainian drones flew in from Russia and hit oil storage facilities.

Earlier on Sunday, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina demanded the resignation, saying anti-drone ‌systems had ‌not ⁠been deployed fast enough during the incident ‌on Thursday.

She appointed Latvian ​army colonel Raivis Melnis as the new defence minister.

Latvia and Lithuania on Thursday called on the NATO military alliance to boost air defences in their region after ⁠two drones came ‌over ​the Russian border and exploded at an oil ​storage facility in ‌Latvia.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on ​Sunday said on X that the drones were Ukrainian, and flew into Latvia as ​a ​result of "Russian electronic warfare ​deliberately diverting Ukrainian drones from ‌their targets in Russia".

In response to the drone incidents, Ukraine is considering sending experts to help strengthen air security over the Baltic states, ​Sybiha said on Friday.