A visit to Latvia’s eastern frontier brought fresh warnings, while officials said no signs currently point to a new military invasion.
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs said that NATO countries are already facing sabotage and subversive activities. During a trip to the Latvian-Belarusian border, he commented on U.S. warnings about the risk of sabotage and hybrid warfare on Alliance territory.
Rinkēvičs mentioned investigations by the State Security Service, including proceedings into the arson attack on a warehouse belonging to the Tavi draugi organization. According to him, Latvia and its NATO partners must be prepared for various scenarios and continue monitoring the situation beyond their borders.
No Signs of Preparations for an Invasion Detected
The president stressed that there is currently no evidence of a buildup of military equipment or units that could indicate preparations for a new invasion. At the same time, he urged the country’s residents to remain mindful of the risks of provocations, subversive acts, and sabotage.
Against the backdrop of Russia’s war against Ukraine, such threats have become part of the new reality for NATO states, Rinkēvičs said.
Pressure at the Border as an Element of Hybrid Warfare
Edgars Rinkēvičs linked the situation at the Latvian-Belarusian border to attempts by Russia and Belarus to undermine citizens’ trust in Latvia’s state institutions. In his view, this is one of the tools of hybrid warfare used to test the country’s readiness to respond to challenges.
Presidential adviser Mārtiņš Drēģeris said that Latvia’s border with Belarus is expected to be equipped with technology to strengthen control by the end of the year. For these systems to operate fully, the border guard service may need up to 200 additional staff members to respond to potential incidents.