Adversary Intelligence — 2026-10-02

Latvia Detains Two Citizens for Spying on NATO Forces and Ukrainian Support Activities for Russian GRU

BLUFLatvia's detention of two citizens for GRU collection against Ādaži and allied radar sites confirms Moscow is running low-cost human networks to map NATO force posture in the Baltics.

Latvia's State Security Service (VDD) and the Defence Intelligence and Security Service (MIDD) detained two Latvian citizens, described as a couple, on June 28 on suspicion of passing defence information to Russia's GRU, Baltic News Network reported 1. Criminal proceedings opened June 27 under Section 85 of the Criminal Law, which carries one to ten years' imprisonment 1. According to the VDD, as relayed by Baltic News Network and United24 Media, the pair supplied intelligence on an air base, radar systems, NATO allied forces and support to Ukraine, and one suspect photographed Ādaži base from a small private aircraft 12. Searches at three locations in Riga and Ādaži Municipality seized data storage devices, documents and notes now under examination, and both suspects remain in custody 12.

Analysis
Latvian counterintelligence has exposed a GRU collection effort against Ādaži, the air base and radar sites, and is examining whether the couple also supported reconnaissance and sabotage groups. The aerial photography of Ādaži shows Moscow tasking low-cost local assets against NATO force posture. The seized devices and notes are a plausible basis for further detentions or charges, though public reporting offers no timeline or scope. All coverage traces to the single VDD release, so convergence reflects one origin, not independent confirmation. Following June's conviction of a lone GRU asset, this second, separate case suggests Russian military intelligence is running parallel networks rather than one being unwound. The case may instead reflect improved Latvian detection, with the release timed to deter recruitment and reassure allies hosting forces at Ādaži.

5 sources

Collected intelligence on Latvian military and NATO - Baltic News Network
Latvia Arrests Two Accused of Collecting NATO Intelligence for Russia's GRU - United24 Media
Latvia detains two spies working for Russian GRU - Defence24
Latvia Says It Detained Two People for Spying for Russia - Bloomberg
VDD, in cooperation with MIDD, detains a couple on suspicion of espionage for Russian military intelligence (GRU) - Latvian State Security Service (VDD)