Signal
Submitted
Feb 9, 2026, 15:15 UTC
Latvian security officials report Russia's desperate search for new ethnic community leaders, mostly recruiting criminals for sabotage near critical infrastructure in Latvia.
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.
Confidence: High
The article clearly documents Russian hostile hybrid activities in Latvia, involving recruitment of criminals for sabotage and attempts to establish pro-Kremlin ethnic leadership, confirmed by Latvian State Security Service statements.
Source URL
https://diena.lv/raksts/latvija/zinas/vdd-prieksnieks-krievija-latvija-izmisigi-mekle-jaunus-tautiesu-liderus-bet-sabotazam-pamata-verve-noziedzniekus-14347682
Source reliability
C
Info credibility
4
Event time
Jan 16, 2024, 00:00 UTC
Event time confidence
unknown
Location
Land
Primary actor
Russia
Country
Latvia
Countries
Latvia
Tags
Russia, Latvia, State Security, VDD, Espionage, Sabotage, Hybrid Warfare, Ethnic Leaders, Critical Infrastructure, Paramilitary Groups, russia–ukraine war, Recruitment, russian influence operations