Latvian Defense Minister resigns following drone attack on oil depots
Kyiv • UNN
Andris Sprūds resigned after a drone strike on oil storage facilities due to a slow air defense response. Colonel Raivis Melnis has become the new head of the department.
Latvian Defense Minister Andris Sprūds has resigned after two Ukrainian drones flying from Russia struck oil storage facilities on Thursday, May 8. This was reported by Reuters, according to UNN.
Details
Information regarding the resignation emerged after Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa demanded it earlier today, stating that anti-drone systems were not deployed quickly enough.
The drone incident that occurred this week clearly demonstrated that the political leadership of the defense sector failed to fulfill its promise to ensure secure airspace over our country. The public entrusted this sector with the largest funding in history — nearly 5% of GDP. This is a massive responsibility that requires clear results
Evika Siliņa also announced that Colonel Raivis Melnis of the Latvian Army has been appointed as the new Minister of Defense.
Reminder
On May 9, the Latvian Armed Forces recorded an aerial threat in the border regions. A NATO mission was activated for patrolling, and air defenses were strengthened on the eastern border.