Riga
Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland are increasing the security of critical infrastructure amid fears that Russia may organize an attack using Ukrainian drones. Intelligence services warn of a possible provocation aimed at destabilizing NATO.
Latvia handed the Russian Federation a note of protest over the airstrike on the consulate in Sloviansk. Two employees were injured, the honorary consul was not harmed.
Prime Minister of Latvia Andris Kulbergs announced the strengthening of security of the hydroelectric dam and gas storage due to intelligence data about a threat from Russia. He appealed to NATO for additional air defense systems and troops.
92% of Ukrainians plan a vacation in the summer of 2026, almost 70% choose to vacation in Ukraine. Popular foreign destinations are Turkey, Egypt, and European countries.
Vilnius Airport rescheduled three flights affecting 480 passengers due to an aerial threat. The unidentified object turned out to be a standard meteorological balloon.
A concert by rapper Xzibit has been canceled in Riga due to his performances in Russia during the war. The Coyote Fly club made this decision following the intervention of state authorities.
Yuliia Svyrydenko discussed the transfer of equipment from thermal power plants with the Latvian side. This will help restore the energy system and prepare for winter.
The Latvian Armed Forces detected a drone in the airspace. Due to the threat, residents were urged to take shelter and train traffic was suspended.
NATO fighters were scrambled and the airport was closed in Lithuania due to a UAV threat. The air alert has been canceled; there were no reports of a drone crash.
The President of Latvia has nominated Andris Kulbergs for Prime Minister following Siliņa's resignation. The cause was disputes regarding the response to drone crashes in the country.
Evika Siliņa has resigned due to a loss of coalition support. The current Latvian government will continue to serve until a new Cabinet of Ministers is formed.
The European Film Academy has included the Ukrainian film studio in the list of iconic locations in the world. The status confirms the importance of the institution for the history of cinema.
Participants of the Olympic Dreams project won gold in Riga and secured podium finishes at the European Cups. The Ukrainian national team took second place in the overall standings.
Latvia and Estonia have expressed their readiness to join discussions on creating a common nuclear deterrent in Europe. Germany and France also touched upon this issue at the Munich Conference.
Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže called Russian strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure an act of terror. Latvia will provide technical assistance to Ukraine and calls for stronger sanctions against Russia.
The Ukrainian national futsal team will face France on January 31 in the quarterfinals of the European Championship 2026. The match will take place in Riga at 5:00 PM, with bookmakers favoring Ukraine.
Ukraine's futsal team lost to Armenia with a score of 1:2 in the first round of the European Championship 2026. Migran Dermondzhyan responded with a brace to Vladyslav Pervieiev's goal.
The 2026 European Futsal Championship starts on January 21 and will be held in Lithuania, Latvia, and Slovenia. The Ukrainian national team has announced its final squad for the tournament.
Sweden plans to deploy its first Archer self-propelled artillery systems in Latvia during 2026. This is stipulated in the roadmap signed by the defense ministers of the two countries.
Latvia will hand over 21 confiscated cars to Ukraine, seized from drunk drivers or as part of criminal proceedings. Among them is a 22-year-old luxury SUV, a 2003 Lincoln Navigator.
Estonia has begun the construction of the first five of 600 defensive bunkers on the border with the Russian Federation, which are to be built by the end of 2027. These structures are designed to protect soldiers from artillery shells and are part of the Baltic defense line against potential attacks.
Ukraine's men's basketball team has begun preparations for the 2027 World Cup qualifiers in Riga. Dmytro Skapintsev and Oleksiy Len ignored call-ups to the national team, while 12 players are preparing for matches against Georgia and Denmark.
Belgium has purchased autonomous Blaze drones from the Latvian company Origin Robotics to detect and neutralize enemy aircraft. This is part of a 50 million euro package of measures aimed at countering drones after a series of incidents.
Lithuanian border guards stopped eight balloons and a homemade drone launched from Belarus. The weather balloons were carrying over 13,000 packs of illegal cigarettes, and the drone was also likely carrying contraband.
The Ministers of Defense of Ukraine and Latvia signed a Memorandum of Cooperation in the defense-industrial sphere. The parties discussed joint projects in the field of security and innovation, including the production of drones.
Latvian President Rinkēvičs has returned the law on the country's withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention to the Saeima for "deeper discussion. " This decision has caused widespread public outcry, including a petition with over 62,000 signatures against denunciation.
On October 30, the Saeima of Latvia adopted a bill on the country's withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention. 56 deputies voted for denunciation, 32 against, and two abstained.
Around five thousand people protested in Riga against Latvia's plans to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention. The Saeima is expected to vote on this decision on October 30.
On Saturday evening, the airspace over Vilnius International Airport was restricted, likely due to spotted balloons. Flights are being diverted to alternate airfields in Kaunas, Riga, and Gdansk.
The Lithuanian prosecutor's office is demanding 4 years in prison for 18-year-old Ukrainian Danylo Bardadym in the case of arson at an Ikea store in Vilnius. He is accused of terrorism and possession of explosives, and the damage from the fire was estimated at 485,000 euros.