Latvia warns of Russian 'sub-conventional' activity surge

Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze warned on Wednesday that Russia has escalated its "sub-military, sub-conventional" activity across Europe, telling reporters in Stockholm that Moscow never halted hybrid operations against the continent despite the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Hybrid threats across continent

Speaking alongside Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard at a joint news conference, Braze addressed concerns over regional security following reports that Slovak police had foiled an arson attack on a drone factory. "The indicators are that Russia has increased its sort of sub-military, sub-conventional activity," she said, adding that such threats required sustained vigilance from NATO allies.

Baltic defense posture

Braze emphasized that Latvia sees no prospect for peace in Ukraine, meaning defense and security will remain priorities for Riga, the broader Baltic region, and the transatlantic alliance. She noted that Latvia shares borders with both Estonia and Russia, requiring comprehensive investments in radars, sensors, anti-drone capabilities and layered air defense systems. "Because we stand there for not just ourselves but also for the rest of Europe and NATO," she said, according to the Anadolu Agency.

Nordic air defense initiative

Stenergard outlined plans for closer regional coordination, stating that Stockholm would seek to establish a Nordic-Baltic Air Defense Shield should the Moderate Party prevail in upcoming elections. "Therefore, I have told Baiba today that the Moderate Party will, if we win the election, work to create Nordic-Baltic Air Defense Shield," she said. The initiative aims to link national defense systems to enable rapid target identification and shared sensor data against ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones.