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Russia could launch new hybrid provocations against the Baltic states if it fails to achieve further military gains in Ukraine, Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs has warned, citing intelligence assessments, UATV English reports.
According to Rinkēvičs, Europe should prepare for the possibility that the Kremlin may seek to test NATO’s Article 5 collective defense commitments and the European Union’s response mechanisms if Russia’s battlefield momentum in Ukraine stalls.
The Latvian president said security services across the region are increasingly detaining individuals accused of spying for or cooperating with Russia and Belarus.
“Information we receive from Lithuania, Latvia, other NATO countries, and the intelligence services of various states indicates attempts to organize sabotage and hybrid attacks aimed at undermining the security of our countries. Such actions are entirely possible. They are testing our preparedness and vigilance,” Rinkēvičs said.
He added that the coming months, and possibly the next year, will be critical for the security of the Baltic region, noting that Russia has been conducting hybrid operations against neighboring countries for several years.
The warning comes amid broader concerns among European allies over escalating Russian hybrid activities, including sabotage, cyberattacks, espionage and disinformation campaigns targeting NATO and EU member states.
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