Due to the existing security risks in the region associated with the Russian-Ukrainian war, as well as Russia’s aggressive rhetoric towards Latvia, the country’s State Security Service (VDD) invites Latvian residents to refrain from visiting Russia and Belarus in the coming holiday season.
At the same time, VDD reminds that representatives of special services of these countries often try to recruit visiting Latvian citizens.
According to the service, the first contact usually takes place at the border, as representatives of special services pretend to be border guards. They can use other disguises, however, including law enforcement representatives or officials of state or municipal institutions.
This is why VDD recommends resident to be careful when interacting with any Russian or Belarusian state or municipal institutions, as well as people working for state companies and higher education institutions, research institutes and high technologies sector.
VDD previously explained that Russian and Belarusian special services have a habit of using officers that work undercover at different institutions.
Latvia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs said the ministry has invited Latvia residents to refrain from travelling to both aforementioned countries on multiple occasions.
According to the minister, Lukashenko’s regime has unjustifiably accused and has put in prison Latvian citizens. He adds that the options to provide aid are limited.
❗️Jau vairākas reizes @Arlietas ir aicinājušas mūsu valstspiederīgos nedoties uz Krieviju un Baltkrieviju, pievienojamies @Valsts_drosiba aicinājumam. Jau šobrīd Lukašenko režīms nepamatoti apsūdzējis un tur cietumā Latvijas valstpiederīgos, iespēja sniegt atbalstu ir ierobežota https://t.co/8wZfCw5mHs
— Edgars Rinkēvičs (@edgarsrinkevics) December 22, 2022
Due to the high risks, VDD invites all who cross the Russian or Belarusian border to be careful and report any suspicious situations to the service.
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