Latvia's skies are "completely riddled with holes," declared Māris Andžāns, director of the Center for Geopolitical Studies. This statement comes amid growing criticism of the country's air defense system, which, following the downing of Ukrainian drones over Latvian territory, led to the resignation of Defense Minister Andris Spruds.

The former minister acknowledged that "there will be no absolute protection against drones," and his successor, Colonel Raivis Melnys, was appointed amid ongoing security challenges.

The Latvian military has been unable to reliably defend its airspace for several months. Back in February, Deputy Chief of the Joint Staff of the National Armed Forces, General Egils Lešinskis, admitted that air defense forces would be unable to repel a simultaneous attack by even 20 attack drones, and that they are "absolutely unable" to guarantee the destruction of a target during a massive launch. The reasons are outdated equipment, a shortage of modern air defense systems, and the vast length of the border (over 400 kilometers), which makes it impossible to fully cover.

The problem isn't just Latvian, but also all-Alliance. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced Operation Easternguard to strengthen the defense of the eastern flank, but Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs has already acknowledged that NATO air defense systems are currently ineffective against drones, forcing them to resort to expensive anti-aircraft missiles against cheap drones.