Latvian journalist discusses Ukrainian drone incidents and government resignation

— I think we should start from the very beginning. When people say that the Latvian government resigned because Ukrainian drones entered Latvian territory, what exactly does that mean? Could you explain the situation?

— We understand that Ukrainian drones from Chernihiv and Sumy oblasts fly into Russia every night to strike strategic Russian oil facilities.

This week, Western media reported that Russian electronic warfare systems intentionally try to knock those Ukrainian drones off course while they are flying over Russian territory so that they return and enter Latvian and Estonian airspace.

We also know that GPS signals are jammed over Russian territory. When a Ukrainian drone flies through Russia, it loses orientation, crosses into Latvia, then regains orientation once GPS works again and continues toward Ust-Luga or St. Petersburg.

But, of course, the Russian side uses this for its usual propaganda, claiming Latvia is now supposedly helping Ukraine launch drones from Latvian territory. That is another lie. In reality, Russia itself forces the Ukrainian drones off course, they cross into Latvia, then return to their targets in Russia. And the next day we see successful strikes.

I don’t know why our now former defense minister, Andris Sprūds, did not understand all of this and was dismissed. Then the political situation developed in such a way that Prime Minister Evika Siliņa also resigned. We hope Latvia will now get a new Cabinet that will be even tougher toward Russia.

— The intrusion of three Ukrainian drones into Latvian airspace happened on May 7. They were reportedly meant to strike targets in Russia, but their signals were jammed and they became lost over Latvia. One drone reportedly crashed into the ground, another hit an empty oil storage facility and a third entered Latvian airspace before leaving it again. How is that connected to the dismissal of the defense minister and the prime minister’s resignation? Could you explain in more detail?

— You need to understand that the defense minister belonged to the Progressives party, which many people here view as neo-Marxists. They only have nine seats in parliament, but until now they still held the defense portfolio. That will no longer be the case, because Latvian society expected more from him.

I think the drones were only the final trigger, because many people had already wanted him removed much earlier. Of course, the outcome was bad for Prime Minister Evika Siliņa, but we think she will remain in the next Latvian Cabinet, and her party will remain part of the coalition.

Maybe we will get a new prime minister. But Latvia is not Russia — leaders change here.

— We have seen threats from Russia saying it could strike decision-making centers in Latvia. How is that being perceived in your country? How seriously is such a threat viewed?

— We have already had cases where Russian Geran-2 drones entered Latvian territory. Last year, one flew here, crashed and detonated. The Russian government or the perpetually drunk Dmitry Medvedev can say whatever they want, but they cannot hit any targets here, even if they are carrying out hybrid warfare actions against Latvia.

We have allies. NATO military aircraft are stationed here, as well as in Lithuania and Estonia. There is also a multinational NATO contingent training and operating together.

The latest lie from Kremlin propagandists — more precisely from Russia’s SVR foreign intelligence service — is that the Ukrainian army is supposedly already stationed in Latvia at the Selia military training ground. But there is one problem: the training ground has not even been completed yet. Nobody is there. It is still just an area that is planned to become a training ground. The site does not yet exist, but supposedly Ukrainian soldiers are already based there.

We now have to live in a situation where we understand all these Kremlin fabrications. Every day they become stranger and stranger.

— The Baltic states were among the first to understand what Russia is and to remember the Soviet occupation. The Baltic countries are among Ukraine’s strongest advocates in the EU. How is the Russia-Ukraine war discussed in Latvia now? We understand there is fatigue, but what are you hearing?

— Nothing has changed. The people of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania support Ukraine every day. We want the war against Ukraine to end, but only with a Ukrainian victory.

Every day, every week, every month Latvia continues sending military and humanitarian aid. We raise money, gather materials and supplies. We will hold elections again this year, and most people will not vote for candidates or parties that do not clearly say in their programs that they support Ukraine.

Of course, we know what Russia is. We see this terrible regime acting against its own people and neighboring nations — a regime that only wants to kill.

Our ancestors in the last century had to fight against Nazism and communism. Our generation has its own task. Latvia will stand with Ukraine until Ukrainian victory.

— If we talk about possible ways to end this war, there are many scenarios and various ultimatums from Russia and the United States. What does a just peace look like from Latvia’s perspective?

— Polls show that most people in Latvia, especially Latvians, support Ukraine and a Ukrainian victory. Some people from Latvia are not only volunteering but also fighting in the ranks of Ukraine’s armed forces.

Most people in Latvia hope Russia will withdraw from all Ukrainian oblasts, including Crimea, admit its guilt, hand over war criminals to a tribunal and compensate Ukraine for all the damage it has caused. And I think that day will come, and we will celebrate victory together with Ukrainians.