Russia is trying to use ethnic Russians and their relatives in Western countries based on emotional attachment, in particular, for espionage purposes. The Russians seek to use all channels to achieve their goal, according to the Latvian Ambassador to Ukraine Ilgvars Kļava.
“One goal is, of course, the presence of NATO forces in Latvia, in all the Baltic states, as well as in Poland, Romania, throughout NATO's eastern flank. Of course, there is a Russian interest there: spying, what is going on, what NATO forces are entering, gathering information,” Kļava said.
Furthermore, according to the Latvian Ambassador, Russia also uses the local population for espionage and further information gathering.
“They are caught, tried and sentenced,” he said.
Petty provocations
Additionally, as noted by Kļava, Russians attempt to make petty provocations.
"In Latvia, for example, they scratch the letter Z on walls or something like that. It doesn't have great significance, but only to create psychological discomfort," he observed.
The Latvian Ambassador also points out that there have been cases in their country where some historical monuments were damaged with paint.
“It is not life-threatening, but it is annoying. But people are caught and tried, too,” noted Kļava.
According to him, for example, police recently caught a man who threw a Molotov cocktail through the window of the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia. He was recruited through Telegram channels by a person who was in prison.
Russian spies in Western countries
Recently in Romania, a spy was arrested for transmitting data to Moscow about military equipment for Ukraine.
It was also reported that a former officer of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution and the Fight against Terrorism was arrested in Vienna on suspicion of spying for Russia.
Additionally, in early May, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk proposed to re-establish the Polish Commission to Investigate Russian Influence. The reason was the incident involving Polish judge Tomasz Szmydt and the risk of increased espionage in the country in favor of Russia.