According to the Latvian State Security Service chief, Russia is actively and desperately looking for new 'ethnic' leaders inside Latvia to advance its influence operations, but primarily recruits criminals to carry out sabotage. Russian intelligence appears focused on groups connected to critical infrastructure and military targets in Latvia, with four core suspects under surveillance since 2023. These individuals are affiliated with paramilitary-type structures and have ties to espionage activities relating to Russia's war on Ukraine. The VDD continues to observe persistent attempts by Russia to recruit younger ethnic Latvian citizens to serve as new pro-Russian community leaders. Measures are coordinated to support Russian influence organizations targeting societal destabilization in Latvia. The statement underscores ongoing hybrid warfare threats Russia poses within Latvia's borders.

According to the Latvian State Security Service chief, Russia is actively and desperately looking for new 'ethnic' leaders inside Latvia to advance its influence operations, but primarily recruits criminals to carry out sabotage. Russian intelligence appears focused on groups connected to critical infrastructure and military targets in Latvia, with four core suspects under surveillance since 2023. These individuals are affiliated with paramilitary-type structures and have ties to espionage activities relating to Russia's war on Ukraine. The VDD continues to observe persistent attempts by Russia to recruit younger ethnic Latvian citizens to serve as new pro-Russian community leaders. Measures are coordinated to support Russian influence organizations targeting societal destabilization in Latvia. The statement underscores ongoing hybrid warfare threats Russia poses within Latvia's borders.