It follows from the indictment that in October 2022, the channel “Baltic Antifascists” and related channels were created on the “Telegram” platform, in which information was collected in order to help Russia and its services to attack the security of Latvia.
The “Telegram” channels maintained by the ”Baltic Anti-Fascists” regularly posted invitations to persons in Latvia to collect information that would be binding on the intelligence and security services of Russia. There have also been requests to obtain news about any daily developments in the Latvian defense system, Latvia’s international cooperation, NATO defense plans, practical activities of NATO members on the territory of Latvia, as well as news about support measures for Ukraine taking place in Latvia.
In some cases, the records have openly stated that this information will be handed over to the Russian Investigative Committee or the Federal Security Service (FSB). On the other hand, intelligence of strategic importance and operationally tactical nature is primarily needed by the main intelligence department of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces.
Referring to such messages, Sidorovs, guided by ideological motives, agreed to collect the news, knowing that it would be passed on to the Russian services, the indictment emphasizes.
The first time, on January 4, 2023, Sidorov, while driving past the Russian embassy, took a video with his phone and sent a video to “Telegram” with an unspecified person in the indictment, which shows that emergency transport and two fire trucks were at the embassy at that time.
On March 10, Sidorov sent the same person information about the fact that there was a lot of military activity in Riga that day, “that everyone was going from home to the bases and not to one specific base, but to all of them”. Sidorov himself also took military personnel to two bases.
On April 26, Sidorov already sent a message to another person in “Telegram” about the fact that a military ship has entered the port of Riga, which is in the closed dock and is being unloaded. Sidorov also sent the location to the Waze mobile application.
On May 9, the accused sent this person two photos, one of which showed the Ukrainian flag in the window of the house, and the other - the address of the house. On the same day, Sidorov sent information that he did not have any pictures, but that he had noticed the military in Baloži near the drone range for the third or fourth day. The man wrote that he wanted to go to the landfill to take a look and take pictures, but the road to the landfill is not accessible and cameras are located there. Later, however, he sent the location of the landfill on the “Waze” map.
Publicly available information shows that the municipality of Ķekava county helped to create a “drone training ground” in Baloži in 2019 with the aim of supporting new technological innovation and technical creativity. The national armed forces did not comment to the LETA agency whether the army also uses this area for its training.
On May 12, Sidorov informed that no Ukrainian tankers were visible in the port, although they were constantly at the port. On the same day, the man sent a photo showing a sandy field and a black car behind a fence in Victory Park. Sidorov has informed that the demolition of the monument is underway in the mentioned place and claimed that the personal car of the tractor driver carrying out this demolition is hidden among the piles of sand.
The further description of the indictment shows that Sidorov sent “Telegram” information about visible warships and that, according to the observations of other taxi drivers, the airport was full of military personnel. The man also sent a photo of a car with a sticker with Putin’s head crossed out on its trunk. The defendant also sent a photo of a window of a shop in the center of Riga, which shows a sign in the colors of the Ukrainian flag with the inscription in Russian “Russian military ship, ej na*uj”.
On June 11, Sidorov sent information that on that day there were many orders from military personnel who traveled from Riga to Lielv
On June 20, Sidorov sent information that the oil terminal was full of “Ukrainian tourists”, asking, among other things, “if there is something to put there that could explode or catch fire after an hour”.
Sidorov reasoned that he has two places where he wants to put explosive objects – he wants to blow up the terminal, burn the trucks there and the drone range. The addressee of the communication replied that such an operation should be reconsidered. To that, Sidorov replied that he had thought out everything and only needed the ingredients. The other side of the correspondence replied to Sidorov that the components for the attack need to be collected in Latvia, that it is a complicated process and that such matters cannot be discussed in ”Telegram”.
The further indictment shows that Sidorov agreed that the components should be collected in Latvia, but inquired whether there is someone in Latvia who has already collected them and could hand them over to him by sending the location of a potential pick-up location. The contact person replied that they did not have such information, to which Sidorov replied: “Bad.”
The indictment also shows that in July, the contact in communication with Sidorov was interested in whether he has many friends among taxi drivers, because it is necessary for him to conduct airport surveillance with taxi drivers. The contact also provided further instructions on how to monitor and track arrivals at the airport.
Sidorov has also been accused of inciting national and ethnic hatred, because he wrote on the Internet that Latvians are fascists, but he described the Freedom Monument illuminated in the colors of the Ukrainian flag with a vomiting emoticon. He has also published other hateful posts on the Internet.
The State Security Service (VDD) detained the man on August 15, 2023. Several data carriers were found at the taxi driver’s residence, as well as symbols confirming his pro-Kremlin ideological beliefs, such as the flags of Russia and the USSR.
The criminal trial against the man was separated from the so-called “Baltic Anti-Fascists” criminal trial, in which charges were brought against six Latvian nationals for leading the criminal organization “Baltic Anti-Fascists” and participating in the crimes committed by this organization.
These persons are pro-Kremlin activists Tatjana Andrijeca, Aleksandrs Žguns, Stanislavs Bukais, Sergejs Vasilijevs, Matule and Roman Samuls. Three of them are declared wanted.
In October of this year, it became known that the VDD urged the prosecutor’s office to charge two persons, including the previously known taxi driver Sidorov, with espionage for Russia.
The other person requested to be prosecuted is a woman. The agency LETA knows that she is the mother of Alexander Dubyago.
LETA informed the VDD agency that the service started criminal proceedings against individuals on May 2 this year for collecting undisclosed information for the purpose of transferring it to a foreign country or a foreign organization directly or through another person.
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Interview Between Time.news Editor and Security Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome to Time.news, and thank you for joining us. Today, we’re delving into some alarming revelations surrounding the recent indictment of a Latvian individual implicated in espionage activities for Russia. To help us understand these developments, we have with us Dr. Anna Petrov, a security expert and analyst with deep insights into cyber threats and geopolitical tensions in the Baltic region. Dr. Petrov, thank you for being here.
Dr. Anna Petrov: Thank you for having me. It’s a critical time for Baltic security, and I’m glad to discuss these issues.
Editor: Let’s start with the case itself. It has been reported that a channel called “Baltic Antifascists” was used to collect sensitive information about Latvia’s defense activities. Can you elaborate on what this indicates about the current threat landscape in the Baltic states?
Dr. Petrov: Absolutely. The emergence of channels like “Baltic Antifascists” on platforms such as Telegram is concerning. It indicates a sophisticated level of coordination aimed at undermining national security. The fact that individuals are invited to gather intelligence on Latvia’s defense systems and NATO’s plans suggests an attempt to exploit local citizens’ access to vital information. This not only compromises Latvia’s security but raises significant alarms about Russian intelligence operations in the region.
Editor: The indictment mentions that the accused, Sidorov, was actively documenting military movements and infrastructure. What does this suggest about the operational capabilities of Russian intelligence in Latvia?
Dr. Petrov: Sidorov’s actions reveal a dual strategy. On the one hand, he’s acting as an informant, gathering detailed intelligence on military operations. On the other, he appears to be motivated by ideological beliefs, which further complicates the nature of such espionage. This is not just a matter of foreign agents but also includes local actors willing to collaborate with hostile nations. It highlights the vulnerability of societies where disinformation and anti-establishment sentiments can be exploited.
Editor: You mentioned ideology. The indictment also states that Sidorov was accused of inciting national and ethnic hatred. How does this factor into the larger picture of espionage and sabotage in the region?
Dr. Petrov: It plays a crucial role. The blending of espionage with ideological warfare creates a toxic environment. Targeting national identity and inflaming ethnic tensions erodes social cohesion, which can lead to heightened instability. When misinformation campaigns are layered with genuine grievances, it can mobilize individuals who might not otherwise engage in espionage. This is part of a broader Kremlin strategy—using internal divides to weaken nations that resist Russian influence.
Editor: The reports detail Sidorov’s attempts to communicate with others about potential sabotage, including using explosive devices. How alarming is this escalation in tactics?
Dr. Petrov: It’s a significant escalation. When intelligence activities shift from information gathering to contemplating physical attacks, it raises the stakes dramatically. This reflects a shift towards direct action, which can be more challenging for law enforcement to prevent. The blend of digital and physical threats requires a multifaceted response, and law enforcement agencies must adapt not only to track down potential spies but also to thwart violent actions before they occur.
Editor: Given the complications of digital communications and the recruitment of local operatives, what steps should Latvia and its neighbors take to strengthen their defenses?
Dr. Petrov: The first step is increasing awareness and education among citizens about the risks associated with foreign influence, especially on social media. Enhanced cybersecurity measures are paramount, particularly for critical infrastructure. Close collaboration with NATO and other allies for intelligence sharing and training can bolster defenses. Additionally, countries need to solidify their counter-disinformation campaigns to combat the ideologies that fuel such behaviors.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Petrov, for your insights into this complex and pressing issue. Security concerns in the Baltic states are more pronounced than ever, and understanding the threat landscape is essential for safeguarding democracy and regional stability.
Dr. Petrov: Thank you for having me. These discussions are vital as we navigate the challenges ahead.
Editor: And thank you to our audience for tuning in to Time.news. We’ll be keeping a close eye on developments in the region. Stay informed and stay safe.