The Russian agency claimed that the Ukrainian military intended to use Latvian territory as a launch base for drone strikes targeting Russia.

Russia’s foreign intelligence agency, the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), has accused Ukraine of planning drone attacks on Russian territory from neighbouring Latvia, allegations that Latvian officials swiftly dismissed as “disinformation” amid growing tensions linked to the Ukraine war.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the SVR claimed that the Ukrainian military intended to use Latvian territory as a launch base for drone strikes targeting Russia. The agency alleged that Latvia’s government had agreed to allow Ukrainian forces to operate from within the Baltic country despite the risk of retaliation from Moscow.

Russia warns Latvia over alleged drone plans

“The primitive Russophobia of Latvia’s current rulers proved stronger than their capacity for critical thinking or their sense of self-preservation,” the SVR said in its statement.

The Russian agency further claimed that Ukrainian drone unit personnel had already been deployed to five Latvian military bases.

Moscow also issued a warning to Riga, saying the locations of Latvia’s “decision-making centres are well known” to Russia and that the country’s NATO membership “will not protect the accomplices of terrorists from just retribution”.

Latvia rejects claims as ‘lies’

Latvia strongly denied the accusations, with Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže accusing Russia of spreading false information.

“Russia lies again,” Braže wrote on X. “Latvia does NOT provide airspace for attacks on Russia. That has been explained several times to Russian representatives.”

The allegations come at a time of heightened concern in the Baltic region over the spillover effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began in 2022.