Latvia Stepped Up Security at Hydropower Plant and Gas Storage Facilities Due to Russian Threat

Latvia has stepped up security measures around key critical infrastructure sites due to the threat of Russian sabotage operations and hybrid attacks.

Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs stated this in an interview with Reuters.

The decision to strengthen security for critical infrastructure was made based on intelligence data.

In particular, a hydroelectric power plant located upstream from Riga, as well as a strategically important underground gas storage facility in Inčukalns, were placed under enhanced protection.

“Of course, Inčukalns (gas storage), same as our energy sector and companies, and definitely the hydroelectric station,” Kulbergs specified, answering a question about particular locations where security is being reinforced.

Previously, the leaders of Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland had already warned that Western intelligence agencies were monitoring Russia’s preparations for provocations and attacks against infrastructure facilities in the Baltic region.

The Latvian prime minister said he had spoken with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and asked the alliance for additional air defense equipment, as well as an increase in the number of allied troops.

He also called for the rapid integration into NATO’s defense system of an anti-drone system currently being developed in Latvia with Ukraine’s assistance.

Kulbergs believes that Russia is seeking a ‘quick victory’ due to its setbacks in the war against Ukraine, and therefore the risk of Russian hybrid threats has increased.

Two days ago, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda stated that intelligence data indicates Russia is preparing provocations in the Baltic states to test NATO’s unity.

According to him, due to the threat, Lithuania has recently boosted the protection of its critical transportation and energy infrastructure.

Russia also conducted live-fire exercises for the first time on Lake Peipus, near Estonia’s eastern border, without notifying the Estonian authorities in advance.