On August 1, 2024, it was reported that Russians have begun mass changing their vehicle license plates from Russian to Ukrainian to evade sanctions and prevent confiscation in Europe. In Latvia, a law effective February 15, 2024, mandates the re-registration of vehicles with Russian license plates to Latvian plates, otherwise these vehicles will be confiscated and transferred in favor of Ukraine. Only transit vehicles can cross Latvia with Russian plates for a 24-hour window. Several EU and neighboring countries have banned or confiscate Russian-plated vehicles, including Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Bulgaria, Greece, and Germany. This practice aims to bypass sanctions and vehicle confiscations.

On August 1, 2024, it was reported that Russians have begun mass changing their vehicle license plates from Russian to Ukrainian to evade sanctions and prevent confiscation in Europe. In Latvia, a law effective February 15, 2024, mandates the re-registration of vehicles with Russian license plates to Latvian plates, otherwise these vehicles will be confiscated and transferred in favor of Ukraine. Only transit vehicles can cross Latvia with Russian plates for a 24-hour window. Several EU and neighboring countries have banned or confiscate Russian-plated vehicles, including Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Bulgaria, Greece, and Germany. This practice aims to bypass sanctions and vehicle confiscations.