U.S. soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division stand in formation at a change of command ceremony at Camp Adazi, Latvia, April 8, 2025. A Latvian man is accused of spying on military installations and NATO troops in the country and passing the information to neighboring Russia, authorities said in a statement Sept. 17, 2025. (Rachel Hall/U.S. Army)
A Latvian man is in custody amid accusations that he shared details about military installations and NATO troop presence in his home country with Russia, Latvia’s security service said Wednesday.
An initial probe revealed that he provided information about the locations, layout and security measures of several sites, as well as military training exercises, according to the State Security Service, or VDD.
The U.S. is one of about a dozen NATO countries contributing to a multinational brigade based at Latvia’s Camp Adazi, near Riga. The brigade is expected to grow to 3,500 troops this year amid growing concerns that Russia could target the Baltics for military action.
The number of U.S. personnel in the Baltic region varies depending on exercises and unit rotations. About 250 American soldiers are currently serving in Latvia, according to data provided by U.S. Army Europe and Africa.
Michigan Army National Guard soldiers run toward trenches during exercise Baltic Viking near Aluksne, Latvia, June 8, 2025. A man from the Baltic country is suspected of spying on military installations and NATO troops there and passing the information to Russia, Latvia’s security service announced Sept. 17, 2025. (Rose Di Trolio/U.S. Army)
In late 2022, the number was closer to 600, a Congressional Research Service report published in January said. The report also noted about 1,000 U.S. troops in Lithuania and 600 in Estonia as of last year.
Additionally, thousands of NATO country personnel trained this year in Latvia, which hosted multiple military exercises, including BALTOPS 25 at Camp Adazi.
The man, whose name has not been released, is also accused of sending Russia information about the country’s military development projects.
One of the most ambitious projects, the Selonia Military Training Area, is expected to become a key training hub for NATO forces and the largest such facility in the Baltics once all phases are completed, with full build‑out planned between 2026 and 2034.
Authorities did not specify which Latvian locations, exercises or NATO units were targeted. Officials searched four properties as part of the investigation and are now analyzing the data storage devices and documents seized.
Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania have expressed growing concern about their own security since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The three countries, all of which were once under Soviet control, have been among the most vocal supporters of Kyiv and have urged NATO to bolster its defenses along the alliance’s eastern flank.