Edith Hejberg
Latvia was specifically accused of allowing Ukrainian drones to be launched from its territory.
Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service has publicly threatened Latvia, claiming NATO will not shield the country from retaliation if it supports Ukrainian drone operations.
The statement was distributed through the Russian state agency TASS and immediately raised tensions in the Baltic region.
Russian officials warned that Latvia could face “just punishment” if attacks against Russia are launched from its territory.
The remarks mark another escalation in Moscow’s increasingly aggressive rhetoric toward NATO members.
Moscow accuses Latvia of helping Ukraine
Russian intelligence claims Ukraine is preparing a series of attacks involving the Baltic states.
Latvia was specifically accused of allowing Ukrainian drones to be launched from its territory.
The Kremlin did not provide any public evidence to support the allegations.
Still, the accusations were presented as proof that Latvia is becoming directly involved in the war.
Russia names five military locations
The Russian statement identified five Latvian military facilities allegedly linked to the plan.
The locations mentioned were Adazi, Selija, Lielvarde, Daugavpils and Yekabpils.
According to Moscow, Ukrainian soldiers could be stationed at those sites.
Naming exact locations appeared intended to increase pressure on Latvia and demonstrate Russian surveillance capabilities.
NATO mentioned directly in the threat
Russia openly declared that Latvia’s NATO membership would not guarantee protection.
Officials claimed the alliance would not prevent retaliation against what Moscow called “terrorist accomplices.”
The wording represented one of the strongest recent warnings directed at a NATO member state.
It also reflected the Kremlin’s growing hostility toward countries supporting Ukraine.
“Decision-making centers” already identified
Russian intelligence claimed it already knows the coordinates of Latvia’s leadership and command centers.
“The coordinates of the decision-making centers on Latvian territory are well known,” the statement said.
The message suggested Russia considers key Latvian institutions potential targets in a future escalation.
Such language has previously been used by Moscow in warnings aimed at Ukraine and Western governments.
Russia claims it can trace drone launches
The Kremlin also argued that modern reconnaissance systems make drone launches easy to track.
Russian intelligence claimed it could determine exactly where drones were launched from if attacks originated in Latvia.
Officials added that drone wreckage could provide additional evidence after strikes.
The comments appeared designed to discourage neighboring countries from assisting Ukraine militarily.
Moscow mocks Latvia’s leadership
Russian officials also ridiculed Latvia’s political leaders in unusually blunt language.
“One can only sympathize with the naivety of the Latvian leaders,” the statement said.
The insult underscored how hostile relations between Moscow and Riga have become.
Latvia has consistently supported Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion began.
Latvia’s president pushes back
Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics quickly rejected the Russian accusations.
In a statement posted on X, he said Moscow was spreading false information.
“Russia is lying when it claims that Latvia allows any country to use Latvian airspace and territory to carry out attacks against Russia or any other country,” he wrote.
The response aimed to reassure both NATO allies and the Latvian public.
Riga faces increasing pressure
The latest warning is part of a broader Russian campaign against Baltic countries.
Moscow has repeatedly accused Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia of helping Ukraine militarily.
The Baltic states, meanwhile, remain among Kyiv’s strongest supporters within NATO and the European Union.
That support has made them frequent targets of Russian criticism and intimidation.
Russian intelligence accused of disinformation
Western governments have often accused Russian intelligence agencies of spreading propaganda and false narratives.
Critics say Moscow uses such claims to create fear, confusion and political pressure.
Latvian officials dismissed the latest allegations as another example of Russian disinformation.
The accusations are already being viewed skeptically across much of Europe.
Lavrov made similar claims earlier
This is not the first time Russian officials have accused Latvia of supporting attacks against Russia.
In April, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov alleged that Latvia had allowed Ukraine to use its airspace for drone strikes near the Gulf of Finland.
Latvia denied those claims at the time as well.
The repeated accusations suggest Moscow is keeping pressure on countries near its borders.
Poland has also been targeted
Russia has directed similar allegations toward Poland in recent months.
Russian officials have repeatedly claimed Poland plans to occupy western Ukraine.
Earlier this year, Russian intelligence also spread rumors that Poles were involved in an assassination attempt on General Vladimir Alexeyev.
Warsaw firmly denied all of the accusations.
Tensions around the Baltic region continue to rise
The exchange highlights the growing strain between Russia and NATO countries in Eastern Europe.
The Baltic states have expanded military cooperation with Western allies since the war in Ukraine began.
Russia continues to warn that such cooperation could trigger consequences.
Although the conflict remains verbal for now, the rhetoric from both sides is becoming increasingly severe.
