Latvia dispatches 500 drones to Ukraine amid expanded support

Latvian Defence Minister Adris Spruds has announced the dispatch of a significant new batch of drones to Kyiv, marking a continued effort to support Ukraine amid ongoing conflict.

Spruds shared on social media platform X that more than 500 drones are on their way to Ukraine, Caliber.Az reports citing Ukrainian media.

This latest shipment follows Latvia’s earlier commitment to assist Ukraine. In April, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silinja had indicated that the first batch of Latvian-manufactured drones, valued at €1 million, would soon be sent to Kyiv. Additionally, she did not rule out the possibility of sending a drone instructor to help train Ukrainian personnel in the use of these systems.

Latvia's support for Ukraine extends beyond this recent delivery. In the spring, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics signed a significant bilateral security agreement. This agreement stipulates that Latvia will allocate 0.25 per cent of its GDP annually to military aid for Ukraine over a period of 10 years.

Overall, Latvia has been a proactive supporter of Ukraine, providing various forms of assistance throughout the conflict. This includes military equipment, financial aid, and training support, reflecting the country's commitment to bolstering Ukraine's defence capabilities and contributing to regional stability.

Latvia and the UK are the leaders of the international coalition established to supply Ukraine with drones, which became a crucial capability on Ukrainian battlefields.

The Czech Republic joined the initiative on July 11, bringing the total number of coalition members to 16.