AGP Executive Report

Storm Aftermath in Latvia: A powerful cyclone hit Latvia over the weekend, killing two people and leaving hundreds of thousands without power and mobile service; Riga saw wind gusts above 67 mph, roads and rail were disrupted by fallen trees, and outages peaked at about 277,000 households before easing to around 191,000 by late afternoon. Ukraine Support in Focus: Latvia will admit 200 more Ukrainian wounded service members for rehabilitation, as PM Andris Kulbergs reaffirmed Latvia’s continued backing during Ukraine’s Flag Day events. NB8 Summit in Kyiv: Nordic and Baltic leaders met Zelenskyy to coordinate support for Ukraine’s air defense and winter readiness, with a joint pledge to keep political, military, financial and energy-infrastructure help flowing. Drone Deal Implementation: Latvia and Ukraine moved into practical steps under the Drone Deal, including plans for joint production and a “green corridor” so selected Ukrainian firms can transfer technology into Latvia. Hybrid Sabotage Concerns: Western reporting says Russia is behind a new wave of sabotage against European arms factories under “plausible deniability,” while Latvia detained suspects linked to an arson case at a drone-related facility in Estonia.

Kyiv Diplomacy: Nordic and Baltic leaders, including Latvia’s Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, arrived in Kyiv for Ukraine’s Flag Day and Independence Day, with Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha saying they’ll hold talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky and push “important decisions” on support. Storm Aftermath in Latvia: A powerful cyclone battered Latvia and the region, killing at least one in Jelgava after a building collapse, injuring others, and knocking out power for roughly 277,000 households, disrupting rail and flights as crews work amid dangerous weather. Ukraine Air-Defense Push: Denmark’s PM Mette Frederiksen pledged continued military and air-defense support “for as long as it takes,” framing protection of Ukrainian cities as protection for Riga and beyond, while Nordic-Baltic leaders coordinate on faster air-defense production. Norway Aid Commitment: Norway said it will keep Ukraine aid at about $9.2B in 2027 under the Nansen Support Programme, matching 2026 levels and covering military, humanitarian and financial needs. Hybrid Sabotage Concerns: Western sources say Russia is escalating sabotage against European armaments factories, with Latvia recently detaining suspects tied to an arson attack on Estonia’s Milrem Robotics. Local Security & Comms: Latvia’s National Guard marked its 35th anniversary in Riga with a ceremony and concert despite storm warnings urging residents to stay home.

Storm Aftermath: A powerful cyclone hit Latvia on Saturday, with red warnings for heavy rain and strong winds; by 9 p.m. more than 160,000 customers were without power as fallen trees damaged the electricity network, and repairs could take over 24 hours. Border Security: Latvia detained 28 migrants who entered from Belarus through an underground tunnel near the border—its second tunnel discovery in weeks—as irregular crossings rise amid fears of hybrid pressure ahead of the Oct. 3 parliamentary election. UN Diplomacy on Ukraine: The UN Security Council will meet Aug. 24, Ukraine’s Independence Day, to discuss Russia’s war; the session was initiated by Denmark, France, Greece, Latvia and the UK and is expected to be chaired by Denmark’s foreign minister. NATO Presence Near Borders: A Canadian-led NATO mission continues to strengthen its posture near the Russian and Belarusian borders, following recent drone-related alerts and incidents. Riga Culture: “Ukrainian Film Days in Latvia” runs Aug. 28–30 in Riga, featuring war and peace-themed Ukrainian fiction and documentaries, opening at Splendid Palace. Sports (Latvia in focus): Latvia’s Tina Graudina and Anastasija Kravcenoka face Canada’s Humana-Paredes and Wilkerson in Montreal beach volleyball quarterfinals.

Severe Weather Alert: Latvia has issued a red warning for torrential rain and strong winds across parts of central Latvia, including around Riga and Jelgava, from Saturday 8:00 to Sunday 1:00, with risks of flooding, power and telecom disruptions; authorities urge residents to avoid unnecessary trips, secure loose items and charge phones, and several events have already been cancelled. Border Security: Latvian border guards detained 28 migrants after they crossed from Belarus via an underground tunnel hidden under moss near the border; it’s the second tunnel case in recent weeks, as irregular crossings rise sharply in 2026. NATO Air Policing: Turkish F-16 jets have landed at Latvia’s Lielvārde base as part of NATO’s Baltic airspace mission, underscoring allied readiness on the eastern flank. Regional Security Talk: Former Swedish FM Carl Bildt warned that any Russian aggression in the Baltics would immediately affect Kaliningrad’s security, pointing to heightened NATO air activity nearby. Sports — Volleyball: Türkiye opened the EuroVolley women’s championship by beating Latvia 3-0 in Istanbul.

Severe Weather Alert: Latvia issued a red warning for torrential rain and strong winds around Riga and Jelgava, with flooding, power outages and transport disruption possible; authorities urged residents to limit time outdoors and secure property. Border Security: Latvian border guards detained 28 migrants after they crossed from Belarus through a camouflaged underground tunnel; it was the second tunnel case in days, underscoring the ongoing pressure on the Belarus-Latvia frontier. NATO Air Policing: Two Turkish F-16s landed at Lielvārde as part of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission, highlighting allied readiness on the eastern flank. CSDD Cyberattack Fallout: Thousands of people contacted Latvia’s Road Traffic Safety Directorate about whether their data was affected, but the agency says responses require formally submitted, electronically signed requests. Statehood & Culture: Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs marked the 35th anniversary of de facto independence, while poet/playwright Māra Zālīte received the Statehood Award at Riga Castle. Sports: Türkiye beat Latvia 3-0 in the women’s volleyball EuroVolley opener.

Statehood & Culture: Poet-playwright Māra Zālīte received Latvia’s Statehood Award at Riga Castle on Aug. 21, praised by President Edgars Rinkēvičs for turning “darkness into light.” Border Security: Latvian border guards uncovered a second migrant tunnel from Belarus near Krāslava, camouflaged under moss about 20 metres from the border; 28 people were detained and returned to Belarus. Public Safety: Riga warned residents to expect a siren test Friday (12:30–14:30) and urged caution as a storm with heavy rain, possible flooding, and strong winds is forecast for Saturday. Sanctions Pressure: Latvia has started publicly naming companies trading with Russia and Belarus, publishing an initial list of about 170 firms monthly. Justice & Security: Prosecutor General Armīns Meisters asked the Constitutional Court to review Cabinet decisions in the timber industry case. Tech & Business: Citadele Banka says its Microsoft Azure AI agent cut customer wait times to under five seconds and sped up document processing dramatically. Sports & Film: Rangers face Jablonec in the Conference League play-off second leg; Latvia’s co-production “Woman Unknown” heads to Venice, with Riga as a key production base.

Cybersecurity & Accountability: Latvia’s President asked the prosecutor general to review officials’ actions after a major cyberattack exposed data on about 1.2 million people, with CSDD management stepping down and an internal probe ordered. Transport Governance: An interim CSDD board was appointed to keep the Road Traffic Safety Directorate running after the resignations tied to the breach. Border Security & Diplomacy: Latvian and Lithuanian leaders met in Riga, stressing EU support to counter Belarus-linked illegal migration and hybrid threats, with Lithuania expected to send extra border guards. Drones & NATO Readiness: Latvia confirmed a drone shot down in Balvi on Aug. 14 was Ukrainian and likely entered from Belarus under Russian electronic warfare influence. Energy & Infrastructure: Lithuania’s PM urged Baltic states to fight for Rail Baltica funding in the EU’s 2028–2034 budget. Consumer Finance Rules: Parliament adopted changes letting people “ban” themselves from taking out loans via credit bureaus, alongside tighter rules on lending and overdue repayments. Business & Food Industry: Estonia’s Agrone agreed to buy Latvia’s Rīgas piena kombināts group, pending competition approvals.

Cybersecurity & Accountability: Latvia’s President Edgars Rinkēvičs has asked the prosecutor general to review officials’ actions after a major cyberattack at the Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) exposed data on about 1.2 million people and around 200,000 legal entities; the Transport Ministry has launched an expedited internal probe, including CSDD’s cybersecurity contract with Tet, while CSDD’s management and supervisory council stepped down. Aviation & Infrastructure: Latvia’s parliament has given preliminary “green light” to possible state participation in airBaltic’s financial stabilisation, including up to €30m in bridge-financing bonds and converting €50m in existing bonds plus parts of the state loan into equity. Energy Debate: A New Unity politician says the Baltics face a 20–30% electricity shortfall and floated modular nuclear plants as a future option, despite cost and public-acceptance hurdles. Trade Transparency: Latvia has started publishing a list of companies trading with Belarus and Russia, following Saeima amendments tied to support for Ukraine. Legal Tech: Latvia is drafting rules to let “good-faith” security researchers access systems to identify vulnerabilities under limits. Weather: Heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected across Latvia, with gusty coastal winds.

Cybersecurity Crisis: Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs has asked the prosecutor general to review officials’ actions after a major CSDD cyberattack exposed data tied to about 1.2 million people and 200,000 companies, with management and supervisory boards stepping down amid calls for accountability. AirBaltic Fight in Parliament: Latvia’s coalition is split over a draft law that would let the state take part in airBaltic financial stabilization, with the Greens and Farmers’ Union warning it’s too much taxpayers’ money and calling it a bundle of separate decisions. Border Pressure & Migration: Frontex reporting says Belarusian state structures likely knew about migrant tunnels into Latvia and other EU states, while Latvia has intensified border security as drones and irregular crossings rise. Defense-Industry Sabotage Probe: Estonia is investigating a fire at Milrem Robotics and says suspects were detained in Latvia, with prosecutors treating the act as deliberate and possibly sabotage. Baltic Sea Underwater Heritage: Latvian archaeologists say more than a thousand ancient shipwrecks may lie off Latvia, with researchers starting to map the “underwater graveyard.” Energy Shift: Eurostat data shows solar overtook hydropower in EU electricity generation for the first time in 2025. Tourism Update: Latvia’s hotel stays ticked up slightly in Q2 2026, with non-resident arrivals down but resident stays rising.

Cybersecurity Shock: Latvia’s Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) cyberattack has triggered a political and managerial shake-up after data theft of 1.2 million people and 200,000 companies, with the prime minister calling out “IT-security infantilism” and ordering an urgent probe into what went wrong and who is responsible. CSDD Leadership Fallout: The CSDD supervisory board has resigned, the minister has demanded the management board step down, and CSDD chief Aivars Aksenoks says he plans to resign once investigations finish; the probe also targets the CSDD’s cybersecurity contract with Tet. State-Owned Companies Clash: Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs says governance of state-owned firms has become a “political retirement home,” criticizing executive pay and rotation of appointees, and pointing to CSDD board leadership over cybersecurity failures. airBaltic Rescue Moves: A Saeima budget committee backed a bill in principle that could let the state take part in airBaltic financial stabilisation, including up to €30m in interim financing bonds and converting €50m in existing bonds into equity. Border Security Intensifies: Latvia is ramping up border measures amid threats tied to Russia and Belarus, linking irregular migration and drone risks to a wider hybrid pressure campaign. Affordable Housing in Rīga: A plan under a public-private partnership targets 732 affordable rental homes in Rīga by 2030, aiming to attract young families and professionals. Driving Licence Deal: Moldova citizens in Latvia will be able to exchange driving licences without extra exams as negotiations begin on a recognition and conversion agreement. Crime and Justice: Police say they thwarted a prison-organised plot to rob and severely beat a man, and separately report fraud cases where two women lost over €150,000 to “psychics” via Facebook ads.

Cybersecurity Shock: Latvia says a major CSDD cyberattack stole data tied to 1.2 million people and about 200,000 companies, including names, payment details, vehicle plates and addresses; Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs ordered an investigation and criticized delayed notification, warning the data could fuel fraud. Border & Security: President Edgars Rinkēvičs visited the Latvia–Belarus border, stressing shortages of guards and equipment amid migration pressure, while the border-crossing question remains open. Environment Policy: The government loosened rules for cutting larger trees outside forests, raising the permit-free stump diameter threshold to 30 cm (from 20 cm), with municipalities able to impose stricter limits. Aviation & Economy: airBaltic’s financial strain keeps the spotlight on possible state support and the risk of service disruption, with talk of other carriers like LOT entering the Baltic market if airBaltic falters. Culture & Film: Riga’s biographical drama “Ulya / Uļa” was selected as Latvia’s Oscar bid for Best International Feature Film. EU Funding Push: Latvia is seeking €7 billion from the EU to sustain its “frontline state” role and cover defense and fallout costs, with Brussels reportedly leaning toward loans rather than grants. Sports: Latvia advanced in the women’s EuroBasket qualifying round, with Nadine Graudina hitting five threes to lead a 91–46 win over Romania.

airBaltic Rescue Talks: Latvia’s PM says it’s the “last chance” to save the loss-making national airline as creditors weigh concessions, bridge financing and possible equity moves to avoid insolvency, with restructuring and potential job cuts looming. Border Security: President Edgars Rinkēvičs reports major upgrades along the Latvia–Belarus border, with sensors and CCTV expanding and remaining gaps expected to be closed by year-end, while staffing remains a concern. Energy & Industry: Elenger plans three more LNG cargoes for the Finland-Baltic region, pointing to Incukalns as a key buffer, while Orkla Latvija will invest €5.4m to modernise Spilva sauce production in Babīte. Latvia in the EU: Eurostat data shows Latvia spends less on education than the EU average, despite some recent improvement. Power Shift: Solar stayed Latvia’s biggest electricity source in July, supplying 55% of generation as capacity keeps rising. Culture & Film: Latvia’s Oscar nominee is Viesturs Kairišs’ “Uļa (Ulya)”, heading to cinemas mid-September. Public Safety: CSDD launches a seatbelt campaign with a nationwide reminder signal after 2025 deaths tied to unfastened belts. Riga & Society: Riga court keeps detention in force for Aleksejs Rosļikovs, while a separate report details four migrants detained near Ķekava and handed to the border guard.

EU Defence Funding Push: Latvia’s PM Andris Kulbergs says Riga needs €7bn from the EU to cover defence spending and the economic hit from cutting ties with Russia, arguing the Baltics are borrowing to “fuel the defence of the whole of Europe.” Border Security: President Edgars Rinkēvičs called for adding up to 200 State Border Guard personnel on the Latvia–Belarus line, saying fences and sensors aren’t enough without fast human response to sabotage and subversion. Drone Threats: Latvia says a drone shot down on Aug 14 entered from Belarus, with the Defence Ministry linking incursions to Russian electronic warfare; authorities plan fuller deployment of Latvian counter-drone tools by end-September. airBaltic Finance: Bondholders approved capitalising interest on €380m bonds, adding Aug 14 and Nov 14 payments to principal instead of cash. Internal Security Case: Latvia’s State Security Service demanded prosecution of a Daugavpils separatism supporter over TikTok posts. Economy & Society: The central bank published its English Financial Stability Report warning defence-related spending and rising debt could raise fiscal and tax-policy risks. Politics & Sanctions: Kulbergs criticised EU opposition to a full ban on Russian combatants entering the EU, calling it inconsistent with the reality of the war.

Financial Stability: Latvia’s central bank published its annual Financial Stability Report in English, warning that delays in improving the return on public spending are pushing up risks, with rising public debt and possible sharp fiscal (including tax) changes. EU Funding Push: Finance Minister Māris Kučinskis met Bank of Latvia governor Mārtiņš Kazāks to align Latvia’s priorities for the 2028–2034 EU funds cycle, after receiving proposals worth over €35bn for an indicative envelope of about €9.3bn. Defence Costs at EU Level: Ahead of the Oct. 3 election, Latvia is pressing the EU for €7bn to cover defence spending and fallout from Russia’s war. Drones and Border Security: Latvia says a drone shot down over its territory came from Belarus, with NATO jets responding after Russian jamming; meanwhile, border authorities report thousands of prevented illegal crossings since the year began. airBaltic Crisis: Latvian public media reports creditors will decide airBaltic’s next steps, as the airline seeks restructuring support and new interim financing. Cyber & Scams: Swedbank warns of renewed scam emails; Latvian State Forests says a cyber attack stemmed from an unpatched vulnerability. Local Life: Central Statistical Bureau data shows Latvians spent €619 per household member monthly on essentials in 2025, with food the biggest share.

Baltic Security & Drones: NATO jets kept busy as a suspected Russian drone was shot down over Latvia after an airspace breach linked to “Russian electromagnetic warfare,” while Romania also reported a drone intercept near the Ukraine/Moldova border. Ukraine-Russia Strikes: Ukraine launched one of its largest drone waves against Russia, with Moscow reporting hundreds of drones intercepted and a major fire at a Wildberries warehouse; both sides also reported fresh civilian casualties from missile and drone attacks. Local Governance & Culture: Riga marked its 825th anniversary with major public events, including a city-wide birthday concert “My Musical Score Riga.” Education & Science: The University of Latvia Foundation received nearly €799,000 from MikroTik to fund research grants and scholarships for future teachers and science students. Sports & Community: Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko was knocked out in Cincinnati as Rybakina advanced; meanwhile, Latvia’s region stayed in the spotlight with international beach volleyball and a big corgi festival in Vilnius featuring competitors from Latvia.

Baltic Air Policing & Drone Threats: NATO jets again intercepted drones near the region’s borders, with a Spanish F-18 shooting down a drone over Romania after it entered from Moldova; debris fell in an unpopulated area near Galați, underscoring how Russia’s war spillover keeps testing Eastern flank airspace. Latvia Security Debate: Lithuania’s PM said the Latvia drone incident “cannot be ruled out” as a possible false-flag, while Latvia’s military maintains the shootdown followed a perceived danger from a drone violating its airspace. Ukraine–Russia Escalation: Ukraine launched hundreds of drones toward Moscow as Russian missile strikes hit multiple Ukrainian cities, with officials reporting deaths and injuries. Rīga 825 Celebrations: Rīga’s 825th birthday concert “My Musical Score Rīga” is set for Saturday night, with live coverage on LTV1 and online platforms. Sports (Latvia): Patriks Gailums won European javelin bronze; Riga FC’s women’s team clinched the Latvian Premier League with a perfect 21-0 run; Latvia’s U-16 boys won European basketball gold.