The intensity of Russia's espionage against Latvia is expected to increase in the near future due to the planned reorganization of Russia's Western Military District, according to a report on the activities of the State Security Service (SSS) for the past year, reports bb.lv.

In the event of a military conflict, the troops stationed in this district of the Russian Federation will be responsible for combat operations in Northern European countries, the Baltics, and Poland. As part of the reorganization of the district, it is planned to divide it into two regions, redistribute resources, and create new formations.

It is forecasted that due to these changes, the armed forces of Russia will need to develop new operational plans, which will require updating military intelligence data in areas of potential combat operations, including Latvia.

As noted by the SSS, the main threat to Latvia's national security this year, as before, will be posed by Russian special services. The primary intelligence activities will continue to be carried out from Russian territory through recruitment to obtain intelligence from residents of Latvia and other countries. People regularly traveling from Latvia to Russia or supporting countries will continue to be at high risk of recruitment. Russian special services will also continue attempts to recruit residents of Latvia through the internet, not only for gathering intelligence but also for establishing footholds and engaging in malicious activities in Latvia and other European countries, including Ukraine.

Interest in Latvia from Belarusian and Chinese intelligence services will also persist, but their activities will not reach the level of intensity and aggressiveness characteristic of Russian intelligence activities, notes the SSS.

In 2024, the threat of cyber espionage will remain high. Cyber groups from hostile countries to Latvia will continue to carry out attacks to obtain the necessary intelligence.

In 2023, the SSS initiated eight criminal cases on suspicion of espionage, including half of the cases initiated in close cooperation with the Military Intelligence and Security Service.

In three cases, the SSS obtained evidence of guilt of the suspects in espionage and handed over the materials to the prosecutor's office for criminal prosecution. As a result of the investigative work of the SSS, five spies were sentenced to imprisonment last year.