Latvian authorities urge Latvians to refrain from travelling to Russia and Belarus

The State Security Service (VDD) urges Latvian residents to not travel to Russia or Belarus for Easter. The service also reminds of the high intelligence and recruitment risks when staying in those two countries, the service informs.
Russia continues the war in Ukraine, committing severe war crimes and putting at risk Europe’s safety. In this situation the risks for Latvia’s national security remain as well. Aggressor country Russia and its closest ally Belarus have demonstrated efforts to perform various hybrid attacks on our country, including various attacks on various institutions in Latvia.
The activities of Russian and Belarusian intelligence services have become more aggressive. The special services of these countries are trying to use whatever means they have to acquire intelligence about NATO and EU member states, Latvia included.

In the current situation Russian and Belarusian special services have limited options to gather information within Latvia’s territory.

This is why special services of these two countries regularly make attempts to recruit Latvian citizens who travel to these countries.
VDD warns that special services in Russia and Belarus will not hesitate to use threats, blackmail and other illegal means to influence and force people to cooperate.
VDD also reminds that the first recruitment attempt is often made at the border checkpoint, with representatives of special services posing as border guards or using other cover – both from law enforcement agencies and any other Russian or Belarusian authorities. In addition, representatives of Russian and Belarusian special services can also obtain information relevant to them during a simple conversation.
Considering the aforementioned, the service strongly recommends Latvian residents to not travel to Russia and Belarus this Easter. If residents do decide to travel to these countries, they are advised to leave their mobile phone at home, especially if there is sensitive or work-related information stored on its memory.
Data can be acquired from a mobile phone, portable computer or other data storage devices at a border checkpoint. There is also a risk of it being infected with spyware. Residents are advised to leave them home.
VDD urges residents to pay attention to signs that may point to a person’s possible ties to Russian or Belarusian special services.
Such signs are unusually increased checks and inquiries, the person asks questions not related to the competence of the border guard, for example, about the situation in the Latvian state, the attitude to events in Ukraine, war refugees who have entered Latvia, the support provided by the country to Ukraine.
Other signs include private questions about work, duties and financial situation.
If residents get suspicious about possible contacts with Russian or Belarusian special services, VDD invites them to provide information about it by calling the 24-hour phone number 67208964 or by writing to the e-mail address info@vdd.gov.lv. VDD guarantees anonymity.
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