Referring to the recent tendentious speculations that have appeared in the information space from various sources about a possible increase in threats in Europe, including in Latvia, the National Armed Forces (NBS) calls on the public to evaluate such messages critically, not to share them further, in order not to support the Russian propaganda machine in its attempts to sow fear about a possible a Russian attack on Latvia or another NATO member state, says the statement prepared by NBS to the Latvian public.
Commenters on the microblogging site “X” express skeptical opinions about the relevance of such a statement to the current situation: “We evaluate this message without a signature critically. Finland, the ex-president of Estonia, etc. are at least preparing for what. Here they are saying to stay in their places, continue € taxes. Why ? Let the gentlemen have more €, what to go with?”
“As the Minister of the Interior of Turkey said when learning about the possibility of a devastating earthquake and the preventive evacuation of the population – “it is cheaper to bury a few thousand than to evacuate millions”… The State Treasury of Latvia cannot afford the panic of the Latvian population.”
“I read the second paragraph and it is clear that the author of the text does not follow the dynamics of the war in Ukraine at all. In short – Russia is sorry for the loss of human resources. To put 50,000 people to occupy Zhopinska? – pohuj. To put 1000 people to occupy a ditch? – pohuj. You have to think on such scales.”
NBS draws attention to the following facts related to the narratives spread by Russia:
1. Russia, trying to maintain its existing military capabilities and pace to continue a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, has significantly reduced its personnel resources and armaments near the Latvian border, therefore Russia does not have enough military power and resources to carry out a conventional attack on a NATO member state.
2. The Russian military’s inability to win and the huge losses of resources in the more than two-year-long war in Ukraine indicate its systemic weakness and stagnation at all levels of military command. In addition, several preconditions must be met for Russia to attack one of the member states. Therefore, the NBS draws attention to the fact that such preconditions for Russian aggression against NATO members do not exist.
3. We have been a member of the world’s strongest alliance for almost 20 years. An attack on us means an attack on all member states, followed by an immediate response from NATO.
4. Recently, populist speculations about our inability to protect the country have been heard in the information space of Latvia from local and foreign opinion-makers. We therefore urge the public to remain calm and not share or reinforce such messages – especially those shared by individuals who are no longer serving in the armed forces or who have not been associated with the defense industry. By sharing questionable messages, these individuals unknowingly or knowingly do a “disservice” to Russia’s aggressive propaganda messages.
NBS states that soldiers and national guardsmen do not take peace for granted.
