Latvian State Border Guard managed to prevent multiple possible members of Russian armed forces of special services from entering the country, as confirmed by Chief of Latvian State Border Guard Guntis Pujāts at a discussion organised about the reinforcement of Latvia’s eastern border.
No increase in illegal migrant activity is observed on the Latvian-Russian border. The situation remains generally calm. Nevertheless, border guards still sometimes notice Russian or Belarusian citizens that fit the profile of “members of the military”.
“They attempt to illegally enter Latvia. We have detained several people like that. They often lie [about their reasons for entering Latvia], tell tales.
Their statements contradict each other. They don’t say they came to burn or blow something up, but their profile generally fits at least past ties to special services,” said Pujāts, adding that these people were expelled from Latvia.
In regards to the situation on the Latvian-Belarusian border, Pujāts said it was mostly quiet during winter. There were no attempts to illegally cross over to Latvia over a period of seven weeks. At the same time, border guards have information that the number of violations will grow again in the future. For example, on Wednesday, the 28th of February, there were 20 attempts to illegally cross over to Latvia.
Pujāts said that the weather has changed. Finland has since closed off its border checkpoints with Russia. This is why illegal migrants were diverted to Latvia, Lithuania and Poland instead. Illegal immigration pressure is expected to go up again on the border with these countries.
Latvian State Border Guard recognise that Belarus is a Russian satellite state and performs its orders, said Pujāts. This means the route for illegal migrants begins in Moscow. From there they are carried to Belarus, and from there – to the Latvian border.
Pujāts also said there were attempts to interfere with IT systems along the eastern border. There also attempts to hack and take command of UAVs. These attempts failed, however. “We encounter such attempts, and there are areas in which this happens on a regular basis,” said Pujāts.
Since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Latvian State Security Service (VDD) together with the State Border Guard are on high alert, patrolling Latvia’s eastern border.
During personal inspections, entrants have their background checked to determine potential risks for Latvia’s national security.
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