Latvia strengthens military preparedness

In Riga, Russian Acting Chargé d'Affaires Dmitry Kasatkin declared that Latvia continues to intensify military preparations along its borders with Russia and Belarus. According to Kasatkin, Latvia, together with Lithuania, Estonia, and Poland, is forming a 'unified integrated system of fortifications'—anti-tank ditches, concrete barriers, and minefields in border areas. Kasatkin noted that this is 'not defense, but direct preparation for combat operations.' He also emphasized that NATO countries are withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel mines and views the deployment of the 'Oreshnik' missile system in Belarus as a response by Western countries, which, in his opinion, lack effective means to counter these systems.

Context

Latvia, together with its neighboring countries, shares borders with Russia and Belarus and has recently been strengthening its military fortifications in response to the northern military policy.