Imants Lieģis told TVP World that the Baltic states must stay alert without feeding public anxiety. Russia’s sabotage, subversion and interference across NATO territory should no longer be softened by the label “hybrid,” a former Latvian defense minister has warned, arguing that Moscow’s actions amount to “state sponsored terrorism.” Imants Lieģis, Latvia’s defense minister from 2009 to 2010 and a former ambassador to NATO and the EU Political and Security Committee, told TVP World in Riga that the Baltic states must stay alert without feeding public anxiety ahead of Latvia’s parliamentary election in early October. ‘State sponsored terrorism’ Lieģis pointed to sabotage, political interference and drone incursions inside NATO countries. “I think we should move away a little bit from calling it hybrid, because that gives it almost a user-friendly type of connotation, whereas in fact, it's state sponsored terrorism,” he said. His comments come amid concern over Moscow’s intentions on NATO’s eastern flank. CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s surprise visit to Moscow in August fueled speculation that Washington was warning Russia against testing the alliance. Lithuanian officials have separately warned that Moscow could stage a false-flag attack using captured Ukrainian drones. Lieģis, however, said Latvian security services do not believe such an operation is close. “I think our services indicate that this isn't something that's imminent, but we will keep monitoring the situation,” he said. Drones reshape Latvia’s defenses Latvia’s vulnerability was exposed in May, when Ukrainian drones entering from Russia struck an empty oil storage facility, helping trigger a political crisis that brought down Prime Minister Evika Siliņa’s government. Since then, NATO fighters have shot down foreign drones over Latvian territory, while Riga has stepped up counter-drone and electronic-warfare capabilities. Latvia is also expanding the Sēlija Military Training Area to support allied forces and drone training as Canada continues to lead NATO’s multinational brigade in the country. Despite the pressure, Lieģis urged restraint. “We would like to you know, keep a cool head and not, you know, get too concerned,” he said, adding that Latvia’s priority remains supporting Ukraine alongside Poland and the other Baltic states.
