Latvia’s Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs has warned that Russia and Belarus are intensifying their hybrid warfare tactics, particularly as Russia faces setbacks in Ukraine. This shift is seen as an attempt by President Putin to divert attention from his military losses by targeting Latvia, which has become a focal point for these hybrid threats.
The situation has escalated with Belarus allegedly orchestrating the movement of migrants from the Middle East and Africa to the Latvian border. This tactic is part of a broader strategy to exert pressure on the EU’s eastern borders, with Latvia’s armed forces recently responding to illegal crossings with warning shots and tear gas.
Kulbergs highlighted that the migrants, often young men with criminal backgrounds, are being used as pawns in a calculated effort to find vulnerabilities in Latvia’s border security. The increase in attempted crossings has prompted discussions in neighbouring Lithuania about implementing border controls, raising concerns about regional stability and cooperation.
This hybrid threat not only poses immediate security challenges but also coincides with Latvia’s upcoming parliamentary elections, suggesting a potential strategy to destabilise the democratic process in the region. The situation underscores the interconnectedness of military conflicts and domestic political stability in Eastern Europe.
Source: Euronews
