Ukraine to Send Air Defense Experts to Latvia as Kyiv Expands Europe’s Drone Shield

Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine will send air defense experts to Latvia to help strengthen the country’s airspace protection and share combat-tested experience gained during Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.

The announcement followed Zelenskyy’s meeting with Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs in Romania on May 13, where the two leaders focused heavily on regional security cooperation and drone defense initiatives.

Ukraine is also seeking to sign a defense agreement with Latvia in the so-called “Drone Deal” format aimed at creating a multi-layered air defense system capable of countering different aerial threats, including drones and missile attacks.

“We will send our experts to Latvia to exchange experience and provide direct assistance in protecting the airspace. It is important to work together to strengthen Europe’s defense,” Zelenskyy said after the meeting.

According to the Ukrainian leader, both presidents also discussed the broader security situation in Europe and agreed that Russia remains the primary source of instability and military threats across the region.

“I met with the President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs. Security cooperation was our main focus. We count on signing an agreement with Latvia in the Drone Deal format to build a multi-layered air defense system against different types of threats,” Zelenskyy wrote.

The proposal reflects growing European interest in Ukraine’s battlefield experience, particularly in countering mass drone attacks, electronic warfare, and combined missile strikes. Ukrainian air defense tactics and drone warfare technologies have increasingly attracted attention from NATO countries seeking to adapt to modern high-intensity conflict.

Zelenskyy also thanked Latvia for its continued support of Ukraine’s European integration efforts and stressed the importance of opening all remaining EU negotiation clusters “as soon as possible.”

Earlier, reports emerged that Ukraine was considering sending military and technical specialists to the Baltic states following a series of drone-related incidents near NATO borders.

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