Pro-Russian group threatens Latvian defence companies over Ukraine aid
Wednesday 9th September 2026 on 12:01 in
Latvia
LSM reported, citing Latvijas Radio, that threats issued by the pro-Russian group Global Citizens Against War 1984 against Latvian defence companies are being assessed cautiously.
The group has threatened the governments of Latvia, Poland and Portugal, demanding that they stop supplying weapons to Ukraine. In its publications, it has previously claimed responsibility for sabotage in Europe and threatened to halt the operations of Latvian companies Unitruck and Eraser by any means if they do not stop deliveries to Ukraine by October 7.
Group seeks to spread fear
Latvia’s Constitution Protection Bureau told Latvijas Radio that the threats illustrate hybrid warfare and the operations associated with it. One aim of spreading such threats is to create fear and insecurity in society, strengthen the group’s image and influence, and indirectly achieve its goals. In this case, the goal would be to obstruct support for Ukraine.
The bureau declined to provide further comment, saying that this could amplify the message’s impact and help it achieve its intended purpose.
Jānis Karlsbergs, chairman of the board of the Latvian Transatlantic Organisation, described the threats in an interview with the programme Labrīt as a psychological operation aimed at people who are more susceptible to such actions and may begin to think about them. He said the threats were pressure on politicians and society.
Karlsbergs urged people to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious to the police. He referred to a fire at Latvia’s Museum of the Occupation and fires at IKEA stores in Poland, saying that society should not be indifferent and that vigilance could help prevent unpleasant surprises.
Although the group publishes in English, an investigation by the Russian opposition media outlet The Insider, which analysed the group’s social media accounts and other available information, indirectly linked it to Russia. The group has previously claimed responsibility for an attempt to set fire to a business owned by Ukrainian drone manufacturer Skyeton.