Latvia Investigates Drone Impact and Explosion on Lake Dridzis

Latvian authorities are investigating a potential drone incident after a device reportedly exploded upon contact with Lake Dridzis in the country's southeast. Acting Prime Minister Evika Siliņa confirmed the event on social media, stating she is in contact with services working in the Krāslava municipality area.

"I expect the services to provide the most detailed information possible on the circumstances of the incident and subsequent actions. I urge residents to follow official information," Siliņa posted on X. According to Latvian broadcaster LSM, citing police, the device exploded around 8:00 AM local time upon hitting the water, with no injuries reported.

LSM described the object as a drone and noted that local residents informed the police. "The remains of what could be a drone have been found," the outlet reported, adding that authorities are preparing to inspect a "large area" with a deployment involving police, firefighters, rescue services, and the military.

This incident unfolds against a backdrop of political instability in Latvia. Prime Minister Siliņa lost her parliamentary majority on May 14 after criticizing her Defense Minister, Andris Spruds, for his response to Ukrainian drones entering Latvian airspace. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba had previously stated that two Ukrainian drones impacted Latvian energy infrastructure due to Russian electronic warfare measures, entering Latvian airspace and exploding upon hitting an empty oil depot in Rezekne, near the Russian border.

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I expect the services to provide the most detailed information possible on the circumstances of the incident and subsequent actions. I urge residents to follow official information.