Russian military experts, who are also propagandists, continue to escalate anti-Latvian sentiments. They are already predicting specific threats against our country. The reason is the alleged use of the Baltic states' territory by Ukraine for attacks on Russia.
Yuri Knutov stated in an interview with "Gazeta.ru" that Russia must act "preemptively" following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's remarks about the intention to increase the number of long-range strikes on Russian territory. According to the analyst, Russia should target not only military infrastructure in Ukraine but also "bases on the territory of Latvia."
Knutov also claimed that, according to his version, a series of strikes on Russian regions are allegedly being prepared from the territory of Latvia. He mentioned the ports of Odessa, transportation infrastructure, and bridges in Ukraine as potential targets.
"Our task is to strike at bases on the territory of Latvia, to hit decision-making centers in Ukraine, and to directly activate operations concerning the ports of Odessa, because the bulk of cargo goes by sea. The port and docks must be incapacitated; they should not accept cargo. The work on transportation logistics needs to be intensified. The work on bridges also needs to be intensified. In other words, we must act preemptively. Since Zelensky has stated this, we must outpace him," emphasized the analyst.
These statements came a day after Latvian authorities officially rejected similar accusations from the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service. The resigned Prime Minister Evika Silina explained that Russia has launched another disinformation campaign against Latvia, spreading falsehoods that Ukraine plans to use Latvia as a platform for attacks on Russian territory.
"Latvia has never given Ukraine permission to use its territory or airspace for strikes in self-defense against Russia or any other country," the Prime Minister emphasized, noting that Russia is the aggressor, and Ukraine has every right to defend itself.
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs also stated that Russia is lying by claiming that Latvia allows any country to use its airspace and territory for attacks against Russia or any other state.
