There is no threat of attack from Russia - Commander of Latvian army
Photo: Commander of the National Armed Forces of Latvia Leonīds Kalniņš (facebook.com_kalninsleonids )
Baltic states are currently not at risk of a full-scale Russian attack, stated Latvian National Armed Forces Commander Leonīds Kalniņš, according to Delfi.
According to him, Russia is involved in the war in Ukraine and suffering "significant losses." However, he noted that Russia remains capable of conducting sabotage or localized small-scale operations.
"If we consider a much broader scenario, such as a total attack on Latvia or the Baltic states, that is entirely out of the question," Kalniņš said.
He emphasized that any localized aggression against a Baltic nation would immediately trigger a NATO response under Article 5 of the alliance.
"I can say with full confidence that Article 5 works and no one has canceled it," he added.
Kalniņš also pointed out that Russia’s strategy includes hybrid attacks involving both physical and cyber operations. Russia may also try to target society by causing discontent, for example, over the economic situation.
Conscript service in Latvia
Military exercises with the armies of NATO member states will begin in Latvia in September.
The Latvian government has also finally adopted amendments to the law on military service. They will allow foreign nationals to serve in the Latvian army in case of mobilization.
