Siliņa said that Latvian special services are able to identify Russian provocations by recognizing traits of Russian agencies. She added that citizens must be aware of potential provocations in Latvia.

The Latvian PM said: “Arson is one of the most typical forms of diversion for Russian special services, aimed at destabilizing the country under attack and creating unrest. It is also a signal sent to Latvian politicians and an attempt to intimidate them.”

Latvian Interior Minister Rihards Kozlovskis said that the country’s special services are on daily alert. He described the situation as a “hybrid war.”

Latvian media reported the initiation of two criminal proceedings related to fires that occurred in two residential houses in Grīziņkalns, Riga, on May 9.

Furthermore, a series of mysterious fires broke out across Poland last week, including one that ripped through the capital’s largest shopping outlet center.

Kozlovskis referred to events in Poland, where on Tuesday Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that evidence suggested Russian involvement in a high-profile fire at Marywilska shopping center in Warsaw, adding that nine suspects had been arrested for engaging in sabotage in Poland on behalf of Russian services, including assault, arson, and attempted arson.

He added how there have been attempts of sabotage and subversion in Poland and neighboring countries.

The Latvian minister confirmed that Russia continues to attack countries aiding Ukraine, often recruiting criminals and individuals without steady incomes for these acts.

Kozlovskis said that while Latvia currently handles such threats well due to excellent information exchange with its allies, it will need to expand its special services in the long term.