'Ukraine will be 2nd strongest NATO member' in Europe, Latvian FM says
Ukraine will have the second-strongest military in NATO on the European continent once it joins the alliance, Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze said on Oct. 1.
Latvia
Romania urges 'robust' NATO response to airspace violations by Russia
Speaking at a meeting of the Bucharest Nine (B9) format, Romanian Defense Minister Angel Tilvar called for "enforcing the rotational air defense and integrated anti-missile model as soon as possible."
'Too dangerous to ignore' – Russia's malicious activity in the Baltics set to test NATO resolve
“Russian intelligence is everywhere. And its propaganda is everywhere, not only in Estonia but all over the world,” Estonian President Alar Karis told the Kyiv Independent during an interview on the sidelines of the 20th annual Yalta European Strategy (YES) Conference in Kyiv. Russia has been actively meddling in the
Latvia to supply Ukraine with British-made CVR(T) armored vehicles
Latvia will provide Ukraine with an unspecified number of CVR(T) armored vehicles previously purchased from the U.K., the Delfi outlet reported on Sept. 15, citing the Latvian Defense Ministry.
Belarus Weekly: Poland uncovers a cyber-sabotage group linked to Russian, Belarusian security services
A Russian drone with an armed warhead crashes in Latvia after crossing Belarus. Minsk officially confirmed the downing of a drone in its airspace, as reported by Belarusian Hajun monitoring group. Poland issued arrest warrants for 3 Belarusian officials accused of orchestrating the 2021 forced landing of a commercial Ryanair
Latvia pledges new military aid package for Ukraine, including armored vehicles
Riga will give Ukraine a new aid package that will include armored personnel carriers, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on Sept. 11.
Ukraine war latest: Russia claims capture of town near Pokrovsk, Kyiv says fighting ongoing in the area
Key developments on Sept. 9: * Russia claims capture of town near Pokrovsk, Kyiv says fighting ongoing in the area * Sweden includes Gripen jet spare parts in new $443 million military aid package for Ukraine * Latvia confirms Russian Shahed drone armed with explosive crashed on its territory * Iran denies sending ballistic
Latvia summons Russian charge d'affaires over drone crash
The charge d'affaires "was requested to provide a comprehensive explanation of the incident, in which an unmanned aerial vehicle illegally violated Latvia's airspace while also carrying explosives," the Latvian Foreign Ministry said.
Latvia confirms Russian Shahed drone armed with explosive crashed on its territory
A Russian Shahed-type drone equipped with an explosive crashed in Latvia on Sept. 7, Latvia's Defense Ministry confirmed during a press conference on Sept. 9.
Ukraine's Kichenok and Latvia's Ostapenko win US Open women's doubles championship in tennis
Ukrainian tennis star Lyudmyla Kichenok won her first major title with Latvian partner Jelena Ostapenko on Sept. 6, winning in two sets in the women's doubles final at the U.S. Open.
Kursk incursion is Ukraine's right of self-defense, Latvian FM says
"And Ukrainians have been very, very careful and very, very diligent in not going after civilians (in Kursk Oblast), in not doing what Russians have been doing on the Ukrainian territory. This is the normal military counteractions, so this counteroffensive, in our view, is also covered by the right of self-defense," Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze said.
'The goal should be strategic defeat of Russia' – Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds
Editor’s note: The transcript of this interview has been edited for clarity. Latvia has been one of Ukraine's staunchest supporters since the start of the all-out war. Sharing a border with both Russia and its ally Belarus, the small Baltic country understands Ukraine’s struggle all too well. As
Latvia to expand Drone Coalition, provide Ukraine $126 million in military support, defense minister says
Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Latvia’s Defense Minister Andris Spruds discussed front-line developments and strengthening the Drone Coalition, which has united nearly 20 countries so far.
Latvia prepares largest batch of drones yet for Ukraine
In a post on X, Defense Minister Andris Spruds said the latest shipment consists of 1,400 drones, and it marked the conclusion of a program between the country's defense ministry and Latvian manufacturers that had procured 2,700 drones in total.
Latvia transfers another 500 drones to Ukraine, defense minister says
The drones, provided in the framework of the international drone coalition, will “provide support for Ukrainians in various combat missions,” the minister said in his post on X.
NATO jets scrambled after Russian Su-30s detected near Latvian airspace
The German and Swedish air forces scrambled NATO jets on Aug. 3 after two Russian jets were detected heading toward Latvian airspace over the Baltic Sea.
Czechia joins international drone coalition to boost Ukraine's arsenal
Czechia joined the drone coalition for Ukraine led by Latvia and the U.K. after its delegation signed a memorandum of understanding during the NATO summit in Washington, the Latvian Defense Ministry announced on July 22.
Latvia sending 500 more drones to Ukraine
Riga has prepared a batch of more than 500 drones to be sent to Ukraine, Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds said on July 22. Earlier this month, Riga announced it would send more than 2,500 combat drones of different types to Ukraine in July, worth 4 million euros ($4.3 million).
Baltic states to complete decoupling from Russian-controlled power grid by early 2025
Lithuanian operator Litgrid, Latvian AST, and Estonian Elering informed the Russian and Belarusian operators that they would not extend the BRELL agreement, which expires in February 2025, LRT said.
Latvia to send over 2,500 drones to Ukraine in July, ministry says
Riga will send more than 2,500 different types of combat drones to Ukraine this month, worth 4 million euros ($4.3 million), the Latvian Defense Ministry announced on July 5.
Poland, Baltic states call on EU to build defense line along border with Russia, Belarus
Poland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania called on the European Union to build a line of defense along the bloc's border with Russia and Belarus to protect the EU from military threats and other harmful actions from Moscow.
Latvia budgets over $10 million to strengthen border with Russia, Belarus
The Latvian government has allocated 10 million euros ($10.7 million) from contingency funds to reinforce defenses on the country's eastern border, Latvia's Defense Ministry reported on June 18.
Latvia sent first batch of drones to Ukraine, preparing second one
Latvia has already dispatched the first batch of drones to Ukraine and is preparing a second one, Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds said in an interview with ArmyInform published on June 17.
Baltic states to disconnect from joint Russian power grid in February 2025
The Baltic nations initially aimed to join the European system by the end of 2025. However, following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, they advanced the timeline by nearly a year.
Latvia to allocate $22 million for drone coalition for Ukraine in 2024
The Latvian government will invest around 20 million euros ($22 million) in the drone coalition for Ukraine this year, the public broadcaster LSM reported on May 27, citing the country's defense minister, Andris Spruds.
Russia making gains due to Western restrictions on where Ukraine can strike, Latvian president says
Russia's recent gains in Kharkiv Oblast are a direct consequence of Kyiv's partners not allowing strikes on military targets inside Russia with Western-supplied arms, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics told CNN on May 27.
Baltic countries to push for 2.5% of GDP defense spending minimum during NATO summit
The defense ministers of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia met in the Lithuanian town of Palanga on May 22 and agreed on their key goals ahead of the upcoming NATO summit, including an allied commitment to invest at least 2.5% of GDP in defense.
Latvia allocates nearly $6.5 million to Ukraine's infrastructure development
Latvia pledged six million (around $6.5 million) euros to Ukraine's infrastructure development this year and is expected to provide a similar amount of economic aid in the year 2025.
Latvia to allocate additional $11 million for Czech-led initiative to buy artillery shells for Ukraine
Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds said additional funds would allow the allies to buy over 3,000 rounds of 155 mm shells.
Latvia to provide Ukraine with domestically-produced drones and radar systems
Latvia has been one of Ukraine's staunchest supporters since the outbreak of the full-scale war and annually allocates 0.25% of its GDP to provide military aid to Ukraine. Silina said earlier in April that Riga's military aid for Kyiv amounted to 392 million euros ($419 million) since February 2022.
Spanish, Belgian, Latvian, Finnish leaders confirm participation in peace summit
The event will be centered around Ukraine's 10-point peace formula, a plan first outlined by President Volodymyr Zelensky in fall 2022 that calls for a complete withdrawal of Russian troops from occupied Ukrainian lands.
Media: Latvia starts digging anti-tank ditch near border with Russia
The Latvian army has started to dig an anti-tank ditch as part of its first defensive line near the border with Russia, Latvian public broadcaster LSM reported on May 2.
Three years of reporting, funded by our readers.
Millions read the Kyiv Independent, but only one in 10,000 readers makes a financial contribution. For our third birthday this November, we're looking for 1,000 new members to fund our mission and to help us prepare for what 2025 might bring. We’re relying on you.
Help us get 1,000 new members!
(Updated: )
Most popular
Editors' Picks
Kremlin finds new enemies to target — Russians without kids
With Scholz's government in shambles, conservative rival touts more decisive Ukraine strategy
Ukraine reacts warily to Trump appointments as Russia’s war rages on
