Latvia’s Defense Minister Andris Spruds has resigned following a request by the Prime Minister after a loss of trust related to recent drone incidents and the broader situation in the defense sector.

Axar.az reports that the Latvian public broadcaster LSM released the information.

“Today I have taken the decision and I want to publicly announce that I will resign from the position of Defense Minister, in order to protect Latvia’s army from divisive political campaigning,” he said.

Spruds added that he could not allow a political campaign against him or his party to turn into a campaign against Latvia’s armed forces and defense institutions.

It is noted that the resignation followed controversy over drones that entered Latvian airspace, as well as political tensions within the ruling coalition.