Пункт пропуска "Силене". Фото: vid.gov.lv
The Latvian State Security Service (VDD) recommends that citizens refrain from travelling to Belarus and Russia over Easter and warns of high risks of intelligence activity, recruitment attempts and provocations in those countries.
The VDD notes that any person, regardless of occupation, may become a target of Belarusian or Russian intelligence services, while Latvia’s ability to help its citizens who encounter difficulties in those countries is limited.
If travel is unavoidable, the VDD advises against taking a personal mobile phone, especially if it contains work-related or sensitive information, because data may be extracted at the border and spyware may be installed on the device. It recommends taking a separate phone with a prepaid SIM card and disposing of it after the trip. Travellers are also advised not to take laptops or data storage devices.
The VDD warns that recruitment attempts may begin at the border. Intelligence officers may pose as border guards or employees of other institutions. They may ask about the political and economic situation in Latvia, infrastructure in border areas and NATO infrastructure. They may also ask about Latvia’s military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, public attitudes towards Ukraine and Ukrainians, as well as personal matters such as political views, workplace, the workplaces of relatives and friends, phone contacts, financial situation and attitudes towards Russia, Ukraine, NATO and the EU.
The Latvian State Security Service warns that intelligence officers may aggressively accuse people of violations or crimes and offer cooperation in exchange for avoiding liability or receiving simplified border checks.
The service listed several signs that may indicate contact with intelligence officers: