Another suspect faces espionage charges for gathering intelligence for Russia

RIGA - The State Security Service (VDD) last December asked the prosecutor to press espionage charges against yet another Latvian national for illegally gathering information on the Latvian defense sector for the Russian military intelligence service GRU, LETA was told at the VDD.

The VDD initiated criminal proceedings against the suspect on October 14, 2025, based on information provided by the Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIDD).

The investigation established that the Latvian national had obtained and passed on to the GRU information on Latvia's private aviation infrastructure, such as the Spilve airfield, the presence of NATO allied forces in the country, and various developments related to the defense sector. The person also provided the GRU with information on Latvian public sentiment, support for Ukraine, and critical infrastructure on Latvian territory.

In addition, the suspect obtained information of a practical nature on behalf of the Russian secret services, such as the conditions for purchasing prepaid mobile cards in Latvia, that is, whether they could be purchased without revealing one's identity.

The VDD investigation established that the person maintained secret contacts with a Russian GRU officer and passed on information obtained during meetings on Russian territory. In this case, the espionage for Russia was ideologically motivated.

The suspect was arrested by the VDD in cooperation with the MIDD on the night of October 18, 2025. The person has been remanded in custody as a precautionary measure.

In December 2025, the VDD initiated criminal proceedings against another Latvian citizen in another case for illegally collecting information on Latvian military objects, including arms depots, on behalf of the GRU. This person was detained by the VDD on August 27, 2025. Criminal proceedings against the suspect were started on August 21.

The VDD investigation revealed several cases where the suspect had been gathering intelligence and passed it on at the GRU's instructions. The service found that the person had passed on information to the Russian intelligence service on the location, layout, and security arrangements of various Latvian military installations. These facilities included arms depots.

The VDD investigation also established that the person had provided Russian intelligence with information on the construction of new military facilities, training of soldiers, and the presence of soldiers from other NATO countries at certain Latvian military facilities.

The suspect was not a public official.