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NATO Jets to Latvia After Drone Attack, New Defence Minister

5/11/2026

39 8 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

NATO dispatched fighter jets to Latvia after two Russian-origin drones damaged an oil storage site in Rezekne.
Prime Minister Evika Silina appointed Colonel Raivis Melnis as defence minister after Andris Spruds resigned, citing loss of public trust.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha blamed Russian electronic warfare for diverting the drones and offered specialists to help Baltic states secure their airspace.

History

Historical Context

After Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, NATO placed a small tripwire force in the Baltic states, a move reinforced when Russia massed about 100,000 troops on Ukraine’s border by December 2021 and launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. The lingering tension led Latvia to replace its defence minister, appointing Colonel Raivis Melnis following a Russian-origin drone strike on an oil depot in Rezekne.

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Story summary

NATO dispatched fighter jets to Latvia after two Russian-origin drones damaged an oil storage site in Rezekne.
Prime Minister Evika Silina appointed Colonel Raivis Melnis as defence minister after Andris Spruds resigned, citing loss of public trust.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha blamed Russian electronic warfare for diverting the drones and offered specialists to help Baltic states secure their airspace.

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