Latvia faces no direct military invasion threat, minister says

Latvia’s conventional threat level has not changed and the country faces no direct military invasion threat, Defence Minister Raivis Melnis told Latvian Radio’s Labrīt programme, LSM reported.

Melnis described warnings from senior European and Latvian officials about an escalation of Russian aggression following elections held in Russia as an intensification of hybrid warfare.

“Russia is stuck on the Ukrainian front and has been unable to achieve its goals. Conscripts and ammunition are being diverted to the war in Ukraine,” Melnis said. He added that Russia was losing around 40,000 soldiers each month, prompting discussions about mobilisation and the need for resources for its military operations in Ukraine.

“Latvia’s conventional threat level has not changed and there is no threat of a conventional war, but Moscow is intensifying hybrid warfare threats. We are developing our capabilities and working together with allies in European countries,” the minister said.

He added that confronting a NATO country would be a self-destructive action for Russia.

According to Melnis, Latvia must prepare for various types of hybrid attacks, such as the recent incident involving Leipzig Airport, as well as different acts of sabotage targeting the military industry.

The minister is currently visiting Israel, where he is scheduled to hold meetings and discuss additional solutions for Latvia’s air defence. Latvia is interested in acquiring additional sensors and radar systems to detect threats more quickly, as well as various drone systems.

“Israel does not use air defence systems as extensively as Ukraine, while at the same time Israel has the fifth-largest military industry in the world,” Melnis said, describing the scale and opportunities for cooperation.

Russia has intensified its hostile rhetoric towards NATO in recent years, regarding the alliance as an enemy. In late 2021, Moscow issued an ultimatum to the West demanding an end to further NATO expansion eastwards and the deployment of NATO military infrastructure near Russia’s borders.

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The war has continued for more than four years, and Russia has failed to achieve its goals. Western countries have supported Ukraine and provided extensive assistance in its fight against the aggressor.