Russian special services will continue generating the biggest threats for Latvia’s national security this week. It is possible they may turn their gaze at public organisations, individual activists and businesses involved in provision of support to Ukraine, according to the State Security Service (VDD).
One of the priorities of Russian special services is undermining international support for Ukraine, VDD stresses. This applies not only to the political decision-maker level and military sector but also private persons organising or implementing provision of support.
VDD predicts the biggest threat to Latvia’s national security will come from intelligence attempts from Russia’s territory. The aggressor state will try to use residents and Russian citizens travelling to Latvia for legitimate reasons to acquire information.
With tension between Russia and NATO on a rise, Russian special services may intensify intelligence and other activities against Latvia’s national security.
Considering the aforementioned, VDD promises to work with other services and engage tight counter-intelligence measures.
Russian special services will remain highly interested in acquiring intelligence information about Latvia’s critical infrastructure and other strategically important assets. This is why VDD will work with other institutions and pay increased attention to potentially suspicious cases.
According to VDD, increased intelligence risks may come from pro-Kremlin Ukrainian citizens, especially people who remained in Russia or its occupied territories in Ukraine for a long time. These people may abuse Latvian residents’ support of Ukraine and their will to provide all necessary aid to the war-torn nation.
Threats from cyber-intelligence activities will increase as well. This is why everyone, especially state and municipal officials should pay increased attention to cyber-hygiene and ICT vulnerabilities, VDD warns.
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