Russian PMC Wagner Group is a product of information war, and many took the glorification bait. LETA was told by the Commander of Latvian National Armed Forces Leonīds Kalniņš, commenting on different experts’ opinions about the potential scenarios for Wagner Group’s future activities.
According to him, society should stop glorifying them, because it was largely created in the offices of Russian propaganda.
“The topic of Wagner Group, which is mostly aimed at Russia’s domestic market and Ukraine, has since spread outside these countries.
Basically this is a product of information war, and many have taken its glorification bait,” said Kalniņš.
Despite the fact that this private military company has professional mercenaries, they are no different from regular Russian troops that are already involved in the training of Belarusian troops.
Secondly, Kalniņš mentioned that Latvia’s security is maintained and monitored 24/7 regardless of the force that appears and operates near the country’s borders.
“If we give in to various propaganda slogans and information maneuvers, our security system will become very vulnerable,” he added.
Thirdly, Latvia’s defence and security are performed in accordance with the main objectives – reduction of any threat levels regardless of foreign forces’ national affiliation, structure and information campaigns.
“We are prepared to respond at a moment’s notice to ensure the country’s safety and protect our territorial integrity. After that will come analysis of where the threat originated from,” said the commander of the Latvian army.
NBS are prepared for all scenarios, including possible provocations and sabotage on the state border. The army is prepared for such situations.
“We have a wide spectrum of plans for a wide spectrum of threats. We do not consider national security defence should be limited to one specific threat,” added Kalniņš.
When asked if Wagner Group’s arrival in Belarus could prompt the decision to deploy army forces in Daugavpils or elsewhere in Latgale, NBS commander said all of Latvia’s territory is defended equally and NBS consider the entire country’s territory as a monolithic defensible object. Currently, he said, there is no need to reinforce defenses in any of Latvia’s geographical locations.
“For years we have been working on this system to ensure quick response at any moment, any geographical location with a minimal time limit. This is why there is no need to deploy forces in Daugavpils,” said the NBS commander, reminding that ever since the announcement of the state of emergency on the Latvian-Belarusian border, national armed forces have been actively aiding the State Border Guard.
Previously it was reported that the information available to the State Security Service (VDD) does not indicate that PMC Wagner Group presents any direct threats to Latvia’s national security.
VDD continues monitoring the situation with Wagner Group’s activities. Risks are evaluated for national and regional security.
Since the relocation of Wagner Group to Belarus, various experts have suggested different scenarios for this mercenary organisation’s future activities.
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