Contents tagged with Latvia

  • Latvian National Armed Forces spotted Russian submarines, warships and aircraft near its borders

    The representatives of the Latvian National Armed Forces reported that warships and submarines belonging to the Russian Navy were again spotted in the exclusive economic zone of Latvia. On the 3rd of September, Russian Kilo-class and Finik-class submarines were spotted at 10 nautical miles from the border of Latvia’s territorial waters. A Russian Kashtan-class SS-750 warship was also spotted at 20 nautical miles from the border of Latvia’s territorial waters.Russian Tu-134 aircraft and two Su-27 …

  • Latvian Foreign Minister: Debate about lifting sanctions on Russia was premature

    It’s too early to discuss abolishing the EU sanctions against Russia, said the head of the Latvian Foreign Ministry, Edgars Rinkēvičs, during an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Bratislava, as reported by the press service of the Foreign Ministry of Latvia.

    Rinkēvičs stressed that it was premature to talk about lifting sanctions against Russia and it is necessary to continue efforts to achieve full implementation of the Minsk agreements. In addition, the Latvian minister expressed …

  • Estonia and Latvia to demand compensation from Russia for Soviet occupation

    Estonia and Latvia will demand indemnification from the Soviet occupation from Russia. Postimees reported that this was announced during a round table meeting with the participation of Estonian and Latvian experts who are dedicated to the issue of damages caused by the occupation by the Soviet Union, and consequently the legal successor, which is Russia.

    According to the Minister of Justice of Estonia, Urmas Reinsalu, because the state is now independent, they should also assume responsibility …

  • Latvia receives air defense radar systems from the US

    Two more Sentinel mobile tactical air defense radars were delivered to Latvia, according to the Ministry of Defense of the Republic. These are able to detect low-flying targets including helicopters, missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.

    According to BaltNews, the first radar was delivered to Latvia in June. The total cost of the project is about $22.7 million that includes four Sentinel radars, HMMWV vehicles and trailers, as well as operator and maintenance training.

    Sentinel radars are …

  • Latvia detects three Russian military ships near its borders

    Three Russia ships were detected near Latvian territorial borders, as stated by the Latvian Armed Forces on Twitter.

    “On August 6, three Russian ships, Boikiy Steregushchy-class corvette, Admiral Essen frigate of Admiral Grigorovich-class and Dimitrovrgrad tarantul class corvette, were detected in the Latvian exclusive economic zone about 9 nautical miles from the Latvian border," reads the statement of the Latvian Armed Forces. 

    Relations between Moscow and the West have deteriorated …

  • Latvia to spend one sixth of its defense budget on radio systems

    The Latvian Ministry of Defense plans to modernize their tactical radio systems in the coming years. To accomplish this, the ministry plans to purchase equipment made by American manufacturer Harris Corporation for €67.4 million. As noted by BaltNews, this purchase represents more than one sixth of Latvia’s entire defense budget.

    Latvian military experts say this is good equipment, and the intention is to make the purchase by 2019. The equipment to be purchased includes Falcon-II and Falcon- …

  • Latvia detects Russian submarine near its borders

    The Latvian Armed Forces detected a Russian submarine near Latvian territorial waters. This was reported on an the official Twitter account of the Armed Forces of Latvia.

    “A Russian class 'Kilo' submarine was detected on August 4 at a distance of 7 nautical miles from the Latvian border,” the statement on Twitter reads.

    With the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine and the deterioration of relations with the West, Russian ships and aircraft have strayed increasingly close to the borders of …

  • Latvia detects Russian ship near its territorial waters

    Latvian Armed Forces detected a Russian military ship near the country’s borders on Friday.

    This was reported on Twitter by the National Armed Forces of Latvia.

    “On July 29 at a distance of 2.5 nautical miles from the border of Latvia, a Russian Steregushchy-class corvette Stoykiy was found,” the statement says.

    Since the start of the conflict in Ukraine and the aggravation of relations between the West and Russia, Russian warships and aircraft have been detected increasingly often near the …

  • Simple Strike 2016 exercises begin in Latvia

    The Simple Strike 2016 joint military exercises have begun on the Adazi training ground in Latvia, Delfi reported, citing the country’s Ministry of Defense.

    Servicemen from Latvia, the US, and several other NATO member states are participating in the exercises that last until August 5th.

    The joint training operations will include a unit of US Black Hawk helicopters that are stationed at the Lielvarde airbase in Latvia, as well as a unit of A-10 attack aircraft, which are stationed in Estonia. …

  • Latvia detects another Russian Navy ship near its border

    On the 24th of July, Latvian soldiers spotted another Russian warship near the border, the Bira supply ship of the Russian Armed Forces, Delfi reported.

    “The Bira supply ship of the Russian Armed Forces was identified in the Latvian exclusive economic zone, 12 nautical miles from the territorial waters of the National Armed Forces of Latvia” the statement said.

    According to the Ministry of Defense of Latvia, Russian military aircraft and ships approached the borders of the Republic more than 2 …