On May 13, 2024, Latvian State Security Service arrested two persons suspected of collecting and passing classified information to Russian intelligence services in Riga and surrounding areas.

Intelligence & EspionageHuman Intelligence (HUMINT)Recruitment of locals

Aggressor

Summary

On May 13, 2024, Latvia's State Security Service (VDD) detained two individuals suspected of gathering classified information to transmit to Russian special services. A criminal case was initiated on May 2 under Article 85 of the Criminal Code concerning illegal collection and transmission of classified information to foreign states or organizations. The investigation is ongoing with actions taking place across multiple locations in Riga and nearby. Authorities state that the suspects unlawfully handed classified data to Russian intelligence for espionage purposes. One suspect was previously convicted in Russia for espionage. On May 15, both detainees were subjected to security measures. VDD continues collecting further evidence to proceed accordingly. No person is considered guilty until proven by law.

Classification

Confidence: High

The event clearly describes a hostile espionage operation by Russian intelligence as arrested persons were detained for collecting and transmitting classified information to Russian special services. This constitutes aggressor espionage activity. No defense preparation aspects are described.

Source URL

https://vdd.gov.lv/aktualitates/jaunumi/vdd-aiztur-divas-personas-aizdomas-par-informacijas-vaksanu-un-nodosanu-krievijas-specdienestiem

Open source

Provenance

Publisher: csv-import
Submitted: Feb 1, 2026, 00:14 UTC
Last updated: Nov 8, 2026, 22:36 UTC
Event time: May 13, 2024, 00:00 UTC

Published as a hybrid-warfare signal with a public source and reviewer-approved assessment bands. See the methodology for how records are assessed.

Raw record

{
  "id": "a2b63f04-6d78-4cdb-ba0f-4ea8dbb5aa49",
  "url": "https://vdd.gov.lv/aktualitates/jaunumi/vdd-aiztur-divas-personas-aizdomas-par-informacijas-vaksanu-un-nodosanu-krievijas-specdienestiem",
  "source": "csv-import",
  "status": "approved",
  "category": "Intelligence & Espionage",
  "subcategory": "Human Intelligence (HUMINT)",
  "incident_type": "Recruitment of locals",
  "country": "Latvia",
  "source_reliability": "C",
  "info_credibility": "3",
  "tags": [
    "Latvia",
    "russian intelligence operations",
    "espionage",
    "arrest",
    "State Security Service",
    "classified information",
    "counterintelligence"
  ],
  "nodes": [],
  "countries": [],
  "where_text": "Land",
  "headline": null,
  "description": "On May 13, 2024, the Latvian State Security Service (VDD) arrested two persons suspected of illegally collecting and transmitting classified information to Russian intelligence services. Criminal proceedings initiated on May 2 under article 85 of the Criminal Law address the unauthorized collection and transfer of classified information to foreign states or organizations. The investigation is conducted by VDD across several objects in Riga and nearby. Investigation revealed that suspects unlawfully passed classified information to other persons suspected of espionage and subjected to security measures. One detainee, Sergei Sidorov, was previously convicted in Russia on espionage charges. On May 15, both suspects were placed under security measures. VDD continues the investigation and will provide additional information according to the criminal procedure. No person is considered guilty until proven officially.",
  "summary_short": "On May 13, 2024, Latvian State Security Service arrested two persons suspected of collecting and passing classified information to Russian intelligence services in Riga and surrounding areas.",
  "summary_extended": "On May 13, 2024, Latvia's State Security Service (VDD) detained two individuals suspected of gathering classified information to transmit to Russian special services. A criminal case was initiated on May 2 under Article 85 of the Criminal Code concerning illegal collection and transmission of classified information to foreign states or organizations. The investigation is ongoing with actions taking place across multiple locations in Riga and nearby. Authorities state that the suspects unlawfully handed classified data to Russian intelligence for espionage purposes. One suspect was previously convicted in Russia for espionage. On May 15, both detainees were subjected to security measures. VDD continues collecting further evidence to proceed accordingly. No person is considered guilty until proven by law.",
  "actor_primary": "Sergei Sidorov",
  "target_primary": null,
  "location_text": "Riga and its surroundings, Latvia",
  "location_region": null,
  "location_coordinates_lat": 56.879635,
  "location_coordinates_lon": 24.603189,
  "location_precision": "Regional",
  "is_aggressor_signal": true,
  "signal_type": "HYBRID_SIGNAL",
  "is_hybrid_war_signal": true,
  "classification_complete": true,
  "hybrid_signal_complete": true,
  "classification_confidence": "High",
  "classification_rationale": "The event clearly describes a hostile espionage operation by Russian intelligence as arrested persons were detained for collecting and transmitting classified information to Russian special services. This constitutes aggressor espionage activity. No defense preparation aspects are described.",
  "event_time_utc": "2024-05-13T00:00:00.000Z",
  "end_time_utc": null,
  "event_time_confidence": "pm24h",
  "created_at": "2026-02-01T00:14:42.507Z",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-08T22:36:29.714Z",
  "reliability_band": "strong",
  "location_precision_band": "regional",
  "time_precision_band": "within_24h",
  "severity_band": "moderate",
  "attribution_confidence_band": "high",
  "attribution_basis": "single_source"
}

Public assessmentReliability: StrongSeverity: ModerateAttribution: HighSingle sourceTime: Same dayLocation: Regional

Source reliability

Info credibility

Event time

May 13, 2024, 00:00 UTC

Event time confidence

pm24h

Location

Riga and its surroundings, Latvia

Primary actor

Sergei Sidorov

Country

Latvia

Tags

Latvia, russian intelligence operations, espionage, arrest, State Security Service, classified information, counterintelligence

Loading signal...

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