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Latvia’s Defence Intelligence Publishes Public Handbook to Spot Russian Spies

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Latvia’s Defence Intelligence Publishes Public Handbook to Spot Russian Spies
Soldiers from the Latvian National Armed Forces patrol at Hagshult Airbase (Source: Getty Images)

Latvia’s Defenіe Intelligence and Security Service (MIDD) has released a comprehensive public handbook designed to help civilians identify and report suspected Russian saboteurs operating within the country’s borders was reported on May 16.

The 48-page document provides detailed indicators of hostile surveillance tactics, guidance on safe reporting practices, and multilingual distribution channels in both rural and urban districts, lists ragged appearance, overly inquisitive questions, and frequent photography of critical sites as key warning signs. It also examines case studies of previous infiltration attempts and provides practical scenarios—such as individuals claiming to be lost tourists—to illustrate how unfamiliar behavior and seemingly innocuous actions may signal espionage.

MIDD urges citizens to immediately report any suspicious individuals observed photographing or mapping installations like power stations, bridges or government buildings, through a dedicated hotline, secure mobile application and local police stations. The agency stresses that community vigilance, coupled with anonymity guarantees, will strengthen national resilience and foster collaboration between the public and security services.

Earlier, it was reported that a Latvian citizen was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment for fighting with Russian forces in Ukraine and illegally crossing the border multiple times. The Riga court also banned him from holding public office and traveling abroad for five years. The verdict underscores Latvia’s stringent measures to penalize foreign fighters and safeguard national security.

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