Latvian Intelligence Reveals Names of Seven Exposed Russian and Belarusian Agents

On April 2, 2023, the Military Intelligence and Security Service of Latvia published its annual report, revealing the names of six Russian intelligence agents and one Belarusian spy engaged in activities against Latvia. This information has provoked considerable resonance within society and among experts, as it indicates the ongoing activity of intelligence services from neighboring countries in the region.

The report, which includes an analysis of key risk factors for regional security over the past year, indicated that Russian and Belarusian spies attempted to gather critical information about the situation in Latvia. Among the exposed Russian intelligence agents were Major Alexey Pyzhikov, Captain 2nd Rank Alexey Lesnikov, Captain 2nd Rank Nikolai Chetverikov, Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Yushin, Colonel Alexander Gladkov, and Grigory Ivanov, whose rank was not specified. Additionally, the list included Sergey Baranov, believed to be an employee of the Belarusian GRU.

Specifically, Grigory Ivanov has been noted for actively engaging in espionage activities against Latvia's interests since 2017. It is believed that his mission involved collecting intelligence data on aviation infrastructure, airports, NATO forces' presence, as well as various events in Latvia's defense sector. Ivanov, enlisting the help of a distant relative, compiled reports on sentiments within Latvian society, while also probing information regarding assistance provided to Ukraine, critical infrastructure, and details related to the conditions for purchasing SIM cards from local mobile operators.

It is noteworthy that some of the Russian agents listed had worked at the Russian embassy in Latvia as military attachés prior to February 2022. They utilized this position to gather the information they sought. However, shortly after the onset of the full-scale war in Ukraine, they were expelled from the country, indicating an increase in control by Latvian law enforcement agencies.

The Latvian military intelligence also pointed out that Russian intelligence services are actively interested in recruiting Latvian citizens who, for various reasons, regularly visit Russia or Belarus. This indicates that the threat of espionage remains pertinent, and Latvian security services must be prepared for new challenges.

The report emphasizes that in the event of a potential armed conflict between Western countries and Russia, agents recruited in Latvia could be utilized similarly to Russian agents in Ukraine. This raises concerns among Latvian military officials and politicians who understand that the country's security may be at risk.

Furthermore, the report states that Russia will remain the most significant security threat to Latvia in the near future. This is corroborated by a recent warning from the Latvian Ministry of Defense regarding a coordinated information operation by Russia against the Baltic states, linked to the so-called 'lost' Ukrainian drones. These events indicate that regional security remains under constant pressure, and Latvia must take all necessary measures to protect its interests.