The government of Latvia, a NATO and European Union member, collapsed over the fallout of two stray Ukrainian drones crashing in its territory.Prime Minister Evika Silina assumed office in September 2023, leading a coalition government of center-right parties. Her tenure saw Latvia fully in line with its hawkish Baltic neighbors, who have played an outsize role in adopting a more confrontational stance toward Russia. Despite her harsh stance against Russia, Silina’s downfall came from the exact opposite direction than one would expect: Ukraine.The crisis began last week, when two Ukrainian drones, presumably intended for Russia, crossed into Latvian airspace. One hit an empty fuel storage tank, while another hit the ground harmlessly. No casualties were reported.
Despite the lack of casualties, the incident sparked an uproar, as the government’s response was considered delayed and inadequate. The drones impacted near the city of Rezekne, located nearly 40 miles from the Russian border, yet they went undetected.
Silina cast blame on Defense Minister Andris Spruds and fired him on Sunday. Justifying the decision, she said the drone incursion “demonstrated that the political leadership of the defense sector failed to fulfill its promise of safe skies over our country.”
