Russia is planning to intensify its legal warfare — the abuse of legal systems, laws, and judicial processes — with the aim of weakening and influencing Western countries.
This is stated in the latest report by Latvia’s Constitution Protection Bureau (SAB), as reported by LSM.
SAB notes that Russia may also use legal arguments as a pretext and justification for intensifying aggressive activity or potential confrontation with NATO. The report discloses intelligence information about Russia’s plans and objectives in the field of legal warfare, which Russian institutions have defined over the past year, aimed at exerting pressure on political leaders and officials in Western countries.
"One of the practical ways Russia is attempting to pressure Western countries is by filing complaints against them in international courts, SAB said. It is claimed that the Baltic states are no exception."
In addition, it is emphasized that Russia plans to file a lawsuit against the Baltic states at the International Court of Justice, formally justifying it with alleged discrimination against the Russian-speaking part of the population. According to SAB intelligence, Russia has already prepared the complaint and is currently getting ready to submit it to the court.
Although claims about alleged violations of the rights of this segment of the population are a familiar theme of Russian propaganda and officials, such a complaint would represent a significant shift in approach toward the Baltic states — meaning propaganda is being turned into the basis for practical action, SAB noted. Russia’s ultimate goal is for the international community to exert sufficient pressure on the Baltic states to change their attitude and policy toward Russia.
Russia’s plans in the field of legal warfare also indicate attempts to form a unified position among Russia-friendly states in order to jointly oppose the West. For example, according to SAB intelligence, Russian institutions are trying to adopt practices that Iran has already used in court proceedings against Western countries.
