'Lost tourists' in the forest might be Russian spies, Latvia warns

Latvia’s intelligence agency warned connected Wednesday that individuals who look to beryllium mislaid tourists, whitethorn successful truth really be Russian saboteurs aliases spies.

In its yearly report, Latvia’s Defence Intelligence and Security Service (MIDD) wished that Russian intelligence and information services posed nan "main threat" to its nationalist security.

MIDD shared proposal connected really to place imaginable reconnaissance and sabotage operatives, listing a bid of telltale signs — which see a slovenly appearance, mismatched subject aliases sportswear, arsenic good arsenic a knack for asking locals suspicious questions.

The information work added that individuals whitethorn besides transportation specialised aesculapian kits, arsenic good arsenic maps aliases radios — which are much suited to a clandestine cognition than a camping trip.

It besides warned that suspects whitethorn linger adjacent subject aliases captious infrastructure sites and airs arsenic humanitarian workers, arsenic good arsenic enactment successful distant areas, without showing immoderate liking successful nature.

According to MIDD, Russian saboteurs mightiness besides effort to incite unrest aliases assassinate “socially important individuals”, adding that they whitethorn attraction their activities connected “studying nan position of nan target country’s nine and inciting unrest directed against nan existing government.”

The agency cautioned that appearances tin deceive.

“The Ukrainian acquisition shows that Russian typical services are capable to adapt,” nan study says. Not each spies will fresh nan mold, and suspicions must beryllium judged successful context.

It besides warns that if a sabotage group is spotted, time off nan James Bond heroics to nan professionals.

“If you do deliberation you mightiness person spotted a sabotage group connected Latvian soil, MIDD does not urge tackling them yourself," it said. "Instead study your suspicions to nan State Police, typical services, aliases nan nearest equipped forces unit.”

According to nan report, malign activities organised by Russia’s intelligence and information services successful 2024 targeted immoderate of Latvia's symbolic commemoration sites, namely a memorial chromatic for Latvian legionnaires successful nan Džūkste parish which was splattered pinch reddish paint.

In ray of akin incidents which besides occurred successful different Baltic states past year, Latvian information services promptly investigated nan incident.

They wished successful move that Russian information services were down nan desecration, a provocation which intended to pull media attention, arsenic good arsenic summation fearfulness and insecurity among Latvians.

The Latvian guidance comes arsenic countries crossed nan region, including new NATO members Sweden and Finland, person been issuing booklets pinch proposal on how to past war or a earthy disaster.