Riga
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons, cropped)
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- Nov 1
Latvia airspace alert follows drone strikes in Chernivtsi and Ukraine's attack on a Rostov plant
Latvia's armed forces reported a brief airspace violation on Sunday, 1 November, near the Belarus and Russia borders. The same day, a Russian drone attack damaged a building in Chernivtsi, Ukraine, and Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine had struck a Russian missile-fuel plant.
- Oct 30
Pentagon asks Baltic states to soften Russia rhetoric; Estonia refuses
Reuters reported on Friday, 30 October 2026, citing four sources, that Pentagon officials asked Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia to moderate public criticism of Moscow. Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said he would not retract his remarks about Vladimir Putin.
- Oct 13
'Black Rus' group claims armed escort of 20 migrants on Latvia-Belarus border
The group said it organised the armed escort during the night of 5 to 6 October and promised further sabotage against Belarus's neighbours. Latvia's interior minister described the incident as a demonstrative and aggressive provocation directed from the Belarusian side.
- Oct 7
Armed smugglers clash with Latvian border guards before sabotaging surveillance cameras
Masked gunmen escorted at least 20 migrants toward the Latvian border and sabotaged monitoring equipment, prompting neighboring Lithuania to deploy troops along its Kaliningrad frontier.
- Oct 4
Ex-Russian prime minister Kasyanov says Putin will not admit Ukraine invasion error
Former Russian prime minister Mikhail Kasyanov said in Paris that Vladimir Putin will not concede his 2022 war error, buoyed by high oil revenues and Western political fractures.
- Oct 3
Latvian Prime Minister Kulbergs wins parliamentary election as United List takes 41 seats
Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs won the parliamentary election after his centrist United List alliance secured 35.3% of the vote and 41 seats in the Saeima, positioning him to lead a majority coalition.
- Oct 2
Ukraine warns NATO and EU of Russian sabotage targeting Starlink ground stations
Ukrainian military intelligence alerted NATO and EU allies that Russian GRU and FSB networks plan sabotage against critical infrastructure, following an arson attack on a Polish Starlink ground station.
- Oct 1
Latvia detains couple accused of surveilling NATO base with private plane for Russian GRU
Latvian security services detained two citizens suspected of gathering intelligence on NATO forces, radar systems, and Ukrainian aid for Russia's GRU using a private aircraft.
- Oct 1
Estonia bans Russian and Belarusian grain transit through Baltic ports
The Estonian government enacted national sanctions on 1 October prohibiting the transit of grain from Russia and Belarus, closing off potential alternative routes for Moscow.
- Sep 30
Miguel Bernardeau photographed in Madrid with Latvian model Zhanna Red
Spanish magazine Semana published photographs of actor Miguel Bernardeau and Latvian model Zhanna Red walking together in Madrid after attending a lunch with his parents.
- Sep 29
Estonia blames Russian security services for August arson attack on defense contractor Milrem Robotics
Estonian officials concluded that a fire at robotics manufacturer Milrem Robotics on 15 August was an act of sabotage commissioned by Moscow, prompting the summoning of Russia's chargé d'affaires.
- Sep 25
Four Italian soldiers injured by friendly fire during NATO exercise in Latvia
Four Italian Bersaglieri were hospitalised in Riga on Friday after live rounds from another Italian vehicle struck their transport during a NATO live-fire drill at the Ādaži training ground.
- Sep 24
Intelligence agencies warn of Russian grey-zone tactics and conventional threats to NATO eastern flank
Western intelligence services warn Russia may test NATO cohesion along its eastern flank through expanded hybrid operations and conventional military pressure.
- Sep 22
France opens talks to include Latvia in advanced nuclear deterrence initiative
Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs announced negotiations with France on nuclear deterrence and air defense, following Riga's abstention on EU sanctions for two Russian businessmen.
- Sep 22
EU extends Russia sanctions to 2029 while removing Usmanov and Fridman
EU member states agreed to extend sanctions on roughly 3,000 Russian entities for three years after France and Luxembourg secured the removal of billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman.
- Sep 22
EU extends Russia sanctions for three years while removing billionaires Usmanov and Fridman
European Union member states agreed to extend sanctions on nearly 3,000 Russian entities for three years after France and Luxembourg secured the removal of Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman.
- Sep 21
European intelligence chiefs warn Russia could test NATO defences within months
Intelligence directors from the Czech Republic, Latvia and Sweden reported that Moscow is preparing expanded sabotage campaigns and potential border incursions to challenge NATO mutual defense commitments.
- Sep 18
Alex Ovechkin defends United Russia campaign video as Latvia issues entry ban
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin defended his appearance in a United Russia political video on his 41st birthday, prompting Latvia to ban him and US lawmakers to demand NHL action.
- Sep 14
AirBaltic files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in New York with €350M restructuring loan
Latvian flag carrier airBaltic entered court-supervised restructuring in New York on Monday, securing 350 million euros in debtor-in-possession financing as rising fuel costs strain European regional aviation.
- Aug 28
Ukraine beats Greece 82-76 in Riga during World Cup basketball qualifier
Ukraine defeated Greece 82-76 in Riga on Friday, leaving Vassilis Spanoulis's team in fifth place in Group 9 of FIBA World Cup qualifying ahead of a decisive clash against Spain.
