In 2016, Russian military equipment was detected near the borders of Latvia 209 times
Last year, Russian military aircraft and ships approached the borders of Latvia 209 times, which was fewer times than in the previous year, Delfi news agency reported, citing the Latvian Defence Ministry’s data.
In 2015, Russian military hardware was noticed more than 270 times near the Latvian borders. The Latvian National Armed Forces identified more than 140 flights by Russian aircraft, as well as 130 cases of Russian submarines and ships appearing near the territorial waters of Latvia.
According to the Defense Ministry, Russian planes appeared near the Latvian border 112 times and ships appeared 97 times in 2016. As in previous years, Russia utilized a wide range of weapons – fighter jets, transport aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft, frigates, corvettes, submarines, and other kinds of military equipment.
As noted by the department, Russia’s military activity in the Western Military District, which borders with the Baltic countries, has increased significantly since the annexation of the Crimea in 2014. The intensity and scale of military exercises has grown, the military infrastructure is developing and improving, and the aircraft and ships continue to appear in the immediate vicinity of the Latvian borders.
The Defense Ministry also noted that the armed forces have been monitoring Russia's military activity since the annexation of the Crimea and have all the necessary resources to carry out these tasks.