Latvian volunteer soldier Nikita Tarenov, known by the callsign “Latvietis” (“The Latvian”), has been killed in Ukraine. He is the third Latvian volunteer to lose his life since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Tarenov’s death was confirmed to Latvian Television by a source close to him. Social media accounts connected to Ukraine’s supporters have also reported his death.
The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated to LETA news agency that the Latvian Embassy in Ukraine has not yet received official confirmation from Ukrainian military authorities. The Ministry of Defence likewise noted it is awaiting formal notification, adding that Tarenov had not previously served in the Latvian National Armed Forces (NAF).
As previously reported, in December 2023, another Latvian volunteer, Edgars Platonovs (born in 1983), was killed during combat near Novoiehorivka in the Luhansk region. He was serving in the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ International Legion and died heroically on December 25 while resisting Russian forces. Platonovs also had no prior service in the NAF.
NAF regulations prohibit active-duty soldiers and national guardsmen with valid service contracts from participating in foreign armed conflicts.
Following Russia’s invasion in 2022, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence announced the formation of a special unit—the International Legion—which has since attracted thousands of volunteers. Several Latvian citizens are currently serving in the unit.
Another Latvian volunteer, former NAF soldier Vitālijs Smirnovs, was killed in autumn 2023 during a Russian drone attack near the city of Lyman in the Donetsk region.