RIGA, May 8 (LETA) - Following criticism from the public and politicians, Defense Minister Andris Spruds (Progressives) has ordered a service inquiry to assess the response to Thursday's drone incidents in Latgale.

Spruds wrote on X that no one in Latvia should have to live with the feeling that explosives-laden drones can fly uncontrolled over their heads. The minister believes people are rightly raising questions about their safety after the drone crash in Rezekne.

Spruds has instructed the National Armed Forces (NAF) to immediately adjust the existing airspace defense plan for Latvia's border areas, increase the operational readiness of the Air Force, and ensure the deployment of Latvian-made interceptor drones in the border area within the next few weeks.

The minister has also ordered a service inquiry to assess yesterday's response to the drone incident, the activation of cell broadcast and the necessary improvements.

On Thursday, NAF Commander Kaspars Pudans said on Latvian Television that after the drone incidents in Latgale, the NAF would assess whether the current model of air defense in Latvia's eastern border area is sufficiently effective.

Pudans said that the approach to air defense could be revised, while stressing that a new solution would not be perfect either. The NAF cannot completely replace its technical assets in a short time, but continues to strengthen its capabilities, including by adding interceptor drones to its battle groups. These are expected to be received by the end of May, while training of military personnel continues.

As reported, in the early hours of Thursday, several drones flew into Latvian airspace from Russia, at least one of which crashed in Rezekne, damaging an oil storage facility. It is believed that another drone may have fallen in a more remote location, while another drone left Latvian airspace.

People in the vicinity of Ludza, Balvi, and Rezekne received cell broadcast alerts on their mobile phones, warning them of a threat in airspace.

NAF notes that as long as Russian aggression in Ukraine is ongoing, there is a possibility of recurrence of cases of foreign drones entering or approaching Latvian airspace.

Questions about Spruds' job performance were raised after several unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, flew into Latvian airspace from Russia on Thursday, with one of them crashing into an oil storage facility in Rezekne.

Later, Prime Minister Evika Silina (New Unity) criticized the defense sector for a delayed notification of the public about the drone incident.

Spruds admitted that whether the cell broadcast message was delayed is a valid question, stressing the necessity to assess what worked in the drone emergency and what did not.

Opposition politicians subsequently called for Spruds to resign.