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Latvian Citizen Sentenced to Six Years for Fighting for Russia and Border Violations
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![Maryna_kulakova]( "Photo of Maryna Kulakova")
-924c3c302c27387e19f6c44aaeb98745.png "Photo of Maryna Kulakova")
In Latvia, the Riga City Court sentenced a man to six years in prison on charges of mercenary activities, participation in an international conflict, and illegal border crossing, the country’s prosecutor’s office reported on April 30.
His name has not been released. According to the investigation, in 2023, he began serving in the Russian Armed Forces and was sent to fight in Ukraine that October. The man participated in combat operations in the Donetsk region.
In the fall of 2024, the prosecutor's office stated, he illegally crossed the border to enter Latvia from Russia.
The man pleaded guilty to all charges, reached a plea agreement with investigators, and expressed his willingness to reimburse the state for the legal costs, according to the prosecutor's office.
Russia often recruits foreigners to fight in its war against Ukraine through deception, such as offering jobs. An investigation by the Russian publication Vazhniye Istorii revealed that mercenaries from at least 48 countries are fighting on Russia's side.
It was reported earlier that Russia is expanding military bases near its border with Finland and preparing to move additional troops closer to Europe, signaling potential preparations for a future confrontation with NATO, according to The Wall Street Journal, citing satellite imagery, Western officials, and military experts on April 27.
-a80eca3386f843ec2c53278e18ae1131.jpg "Rare Footage Shows Ukrainian Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Unit Launching Multiple Chaklun-V UAVs at Night, Video")
