UAV event in Latvia on Sat 23rd May 2026

A new drone incident in Latvia — in which an errant flying device exploded when it crashed into a lake on Saturday — has added to anxiety and political tension in the Baltic country, which borders Russia.

The drone came down in Lake Dridza, about 15 kilometres (eight miles) from Latvia’s border with Belarus, according to police. Officers recovered its remains after being alerted by local residents.

Belarus is an ally of Russia in Moscow’s war against Ukraine. During the conflict, several Russian and Ukrainian drones have crashed in Latvia, as both sides increasingly use drone-jamming technology that can send unmanned aircraft off course.

Such incidents have been increasing in recent months. Outgoing Prime Minister Evika Siliņa confirmed the latest crash on X, saying she was awaiting “the most detailed information possible” about the incident.

The ongoing “drone menace” has also had political consequences. In early May, Siliņa dismissed her defence minister, saying Latvia’s anti-drone defences were not being deployed quickly enough to track and intercept intruding drones. Several members of the minister’s party then resigned, which ultimately brought down her ruling coalition.

Latvia’s president recently tasked opposition lawmaker Andris Kulbergs with attempting to form a new government.