Latvian Security Service highlights Russia's attempts to recruit Ukrainian refugees at border crossings

This is reported by Delfi.

It is noted that the information received by the Latvian service about attempts to recruit Ukrainian citizens seeking asylum in Latvia does not indicate that recruitment in the Internet environment is often used by Russian special services.

At the same time, the State Security Service emphasized that Russian special services have long used the Internet, especially social networks and direct communication programs, to obtain information about potential recruitment targets.

Russian FSB officers, often posing as border guards, conduct lengthy interviews with Ukrainians, which are actually interrogations. They are asked about their biography, contacts in the Ukrainian security forces, and what is happening in the war zones.

In addition, Ukrainian refugees are asked questions about the deployment, tactics and support of Ukrainian forces by the West in order to obtain information useful for planning attacks. The Latvian State Security Service adds that the purpose of in-depth interrogation is mostly information, but in some cases it is also followed by open recruitment attempts.

For preventive purposes, the Latvian Security Service regularly informs the public in its public messages about the high risks of recruitment and intelligence in Russia and Belarus. It once again urges Latvian residents not to travel to these countries.

• The day before, it was reported that the Latvian State Security Service would pay attention to residents of the country who have now decided to move to Russia to start studying in higher education institutions there.