Security has been stepped up at many critical infrastructure sites since Russia's invasion of Ukraine

RIGA - Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, following recommendations from the State Security Service (VDD), security has been stepped up at many critical infrastructure sites and more frequent patrols of the premises have been introduce, LETA learned from the VDD.

Critical infrastructure sites in Latvia, as well as in other NATO and EU member states, have been considered for several years, especially since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, to be among the priority targets for intelligence and sabotage operations by Russian special services.

Given the risks posed by Russia, the VDD, in cooperation with other national security agencies-the Military Intelligence and Security Service and the Constitution Protection Bureau (SAB)-has been paying heightened attention to the security of critical infrastructure facilities since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, implementing a comprehensive and systematic set of measures to enhance the security level of these facilities.

The VDD maintains daily communication with contact persons at critical infrastructure facilities regarding suspicious activities in the vicinity of these facilities, and regularly informs these facilities about identified risks and provides recommendations for improving their physical security.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, following the VDD’s recommendations, security has been strengthened at many facilities, more frequent site patrols have been introduced, and repeated staff briefings have been conducted on potential risks and how to respond in the event of a threat.

Similarly, the VDD, in cooperation with the State Police, regularly monitors various types of suspicious activity near critical infrastructure facilities to identify and prevent potential threats to the security of such facilities in a timely manner.

As reported, Russia is considering using Ukrainian drones to attack critical infrastructure in the Baltic region, but has made no concrete decision to do so, Lithuania's Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas said on Thursday.

"There is no decision to carry out any specific operation today; there is no direct threat that something will happen in the near future or on a specific day," Kaunas told reporters on Thursday.

According to the minister, Lithuania and other NATO countries are monitoring Russia's planning processes and have warned Moscow about its known intentions.

Meanwhile, information available to the Constitution Protection Bureau (SAB) indicates that Russia may carry out hybrid attacks and provocations against the Baltic states in the short term, thereby increasing psychological pressure on NATO countries, their officials, and their societies-a threat the SAB has publicly warned about before, the agency told LETA.

One possible scenario for Russian provocations involves drone operations, including the use of Ukrainian drones in so-called "false flag" operations. Although there are currently no indications that the Russian regime has made a political decision to escalate the security situation with regard to NATO, information available to the SAB indicates that Russia is planning various types of provocations and hybrid attack scenarios against the Baltic states and NATO, the SAB noted.

Russia has long been waging hybrid warfare, including by organizing various malicious activities and provocations in Western countries with the aim of reducing support for Ukraine. Lithuania’s publicly stated warning is also being carefully analyzed in Latvia, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) told LETA.

Latvia’s air surveillance capabilities, cooperation with NATO, and coordination with neighboring countries have been strengthened. If any incident were detected, it would be investigated immediately, based on facts rather than assumptions, the MoD explained.

At the same time, the MoD and the National Armed Forces currently have no information indicating that Russia is planning an attack on specific critical infrastructure sites within Latvian territory. The Ministry of Defense emphasizes that the armed forces have long been cooperating with various categories of critical infrastructure facilities to ensure their operational continuity in the event of a crisis. In light of the threats to Latvian airspace that occurred this past spring, specially developed action guidelines are being implemented at critical infrastructure facilities, as the Prime Minister has also publicly stated, the ministry noted.