Latvia to provide 1,500 combat drones to Ukraine
Latvia will provide 1,500 combat drones to Ukraine, the country’s Defense Minister Andris Spruds said on April 1.
Latvia
Unless you act, 'it's just rhetoric' — Baltic states skeptical of Western European leadership
As the U.S. chooses an increasingly hostile posture toward Europe, the U.K. and France have been gearing up to lead the continent's defense without Washington. French President Emmanuel Macron has coined the term "strategic autonomy," which envisions a self-sufficient Europe that can defend itself and export its agenda
Nordics, Baltics urge concrete steps toward Ukraine's EU membership
In a joint letter, the foreign ministers of Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia called on Brussels to put forward "concrete proposals on how to decisively advance Ukraine's accession process."
Poland, Baltics to withdraw from anti-personnel mine ban treaty
The defense ministers of the four nations argued that the security situation in the region has "fundamentally deteriorated" and that military threats to NATO member states bordering Russia and Belarus have "significantly increased."
Ukraine war latest: Russia massing troops for new assaults in Chasiv Yar; Ukraine strikes oil refinery in Krasnodar Krai
Key developments on Feb. 10: * Russia massing troops for new assaults in Chasiv Yar, military warns * Drones reportedly target key Russian oil refinery in Krasnodar Krai * Trump claims 'progress' on ending Russia-Ukraine war, confirms contact with Putin * Ukraine approves high-speed Baton drones for battlefield deployment * Ukraine to receive Patria 6x6
Ukraine to receive Patria 6x6 armored vehicles from Latvia this year
The Patria 6x6 is a six-wheeled armored personnel carrier produced by the Finnish defense industry company Patria.
Baltic states to cut energy ties with Russia, join European power grid, AFP reports
Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia will disconnect from Russia’s power grid this weekend and synchronize with the Western European network.
Norway detains Russian-crewed vessel over undersea cable damage suspicion
The vessel, which operates under the Norwegian flag and travels between St. Petersburg and Murmansk, was seized in Tromso at Latvia's request following a local court order.
Fiber-optic cable between Latvia and Sweden significantly damaged in Baltic Sea, investigation underway
An underwater fiber optic cable belonging to the Latvian State Radio and Television Broadcasting Center (LVRTC) was significantly damaged on Jan. 26, reportedly due to external impact, according to LVRTC representative Vineta Sprugaine.
41-year-old Latvian volunteer soldier killed in Luhansk Oblast on Christmas
Platonov was fighting in the areas near the village of Novoiehorivka in the largely Russian-occupied Luhansk Oblast as part of the Ukrainian military's International Legion, composed of mostly foreign volunteers who came to fight, according to the Latvian Armed Forces.
Russia ‘delusional’ about its ability to sustain Ukraine war, says Latvian foreign minister
As Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine nears its fourth year, a worsening battlefield situation and the election of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency signal that the war could soon be entering a volatile and unpredictable endgame. In anticipation of a potential Trump-negotiated ceasefire, Kyiv is looking to
Latvia to provide over 1,000 drones to Ukraine
Latvia will transfer over 1,000 "combat drones of various types" to Ukraine through the international drone coalition, the country's Defense Minister Andris Spruds announced on social media on Dec. 28.
Russia will reach 1 million killed and wounded soldiers in 2025, Latvian foreign minister says
The Kyiv Independent’s Francis Farrell sat down with Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze to look back at 2024 and discuss the country’s support for Ukraine amid political uncertainty before the inauguration of Donald Trump in the U.S. and Russia’s gains on the frontline.
Latvia announces surprise combat readiness check of its military
While the Latvian Defense Ministry said that the drills are "not related to changes in the security environment," the exercises take place amid surging tensions between NATO and Russia.
Drone coalition to gather $1.8 billion by end of 2024, defense minister says
An allied initiative, co-headed by the U.K. and Latvia, was launched in January to bolster Ukraine's arsenal of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which became a crucial capability on the battlefield. Nearly 20 countries joined the coalition as of late November.
'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.
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.
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