Lithuania and Latvia warn Russia of infrastructure attacks

The leaders of Lithuania and Latvia warned on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, that intelligence indicates Russia may be planning provocations or attacks against critical infrastructure in the Baltic states and Poland, potentially to test NATO's collective defense commitments. The warnings, issued during a state visit by Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics to Vilnius, underscore heightened security concerns along the alliance's eastern flank.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda stated that intelligence services have information about potential limited kinetic operations targeting critical infrastructure, though no specific location or timing has been identified. He emphasized the risk to facilities crucial for energy and transport, particularly those linking Lithuania to the continental European electricity grid. Nauseda cautioned against complacency, stating the war in Ukraine is not a distant conflict.

Echoing these concerns, Latvian President Rinkevics warned that Russia, facing setbacks in Ukraine, might resort to sabotage and hybrid attacks to undermine regional security and test NATO's response mechanisms. He said the next several months to a year would be crucial for Baltic...