Like the Constitution Protection Bureau, the State Security Service (VDD) has published a report on current events in 2020, as much as the need to protect state secrets allows. Some things overlap in the reports of the two special services, but at least one of the problems reflected by the VDD is particularly noteworthy. Public need to be concerned about this: efforts are being made to spread the ideology of communism among the youth of Latvia.
In the Satversme of the Republic of Latvia, a sign of equality is placed between these two evils - communism and Nazism. Both regimes have brought misery, misfortune and death to Latvia. The preamble of the Satversme states:
"The people of Latvia did not recognise the occupation regimes, resisted them and regained their freedom by restoring national independence on 4 May 1990 on the basis of continuity of the State. They honour their freedom fighters, commemorate victims of foreign powers, condemn the Communist and Nazi totalitarian regimes and their crimes."
It is inconceivable that a car could drive around with a Nazi cross or a picture of Hitler on it these days. But a car with a sickle and a hammer is driving around Riga. Also with Stalin. And May 9 is approaching, when the orange-black colors of Colorado beetles will appear in the Latvian urban environment. Some political forces are deliberately flirting with the ideas of communism, and not just in the Russian public. Latvian young people are also gradually being led to the idea that the Soviet rule may not have been so bad. And here's what the State Security Service has to say about it:
"(..) left-wing extremist groups are not widely represented in our country, taking into account the historical negative experience of Latvian society with the communist system. The level of organization and ability to attract followers of these groups is low. However, among the youth the VDD has observed some efforts to promote the ideology of socialism and communism. It should be emphasized that a relatively large proportion of these young people have not actually experienced the crimes committed by the communist regime. Due to the lack of such experience, young people tend to be uncritical of the communist propaganda spread on the Internet and do not understand the potential risks of campaigning for the renewal of such system."
Such developments in Latvian society are beneficial to the Russian regime and its supporters. This aspect is reflected in the VDD 2020 public report in the section “Russia's non-military influence activities against Latvia.”
Non-military influence is interpreted as the purposeful use of political, diplomatic, humanitarian, informational and legal instruments to influence and change the views and attitudes of the country's population, as well as its decision-making process according to specific geopolitical interests.
"The architecture of Russia's efforts to influence is comparable to the Kremlin's vertical of power. The main guidelines and strategic vision from the "political level" are communicated directly or through declarations and public statements by Russian officials to those involved, such as Russian "compatriots" and implementers, as well as the Kremlin's most active supporters and implementers of geopolitical interests. In turn, the local "compatriots" are trying hard to implement the received guidelines, in the hopes of gaining various goods and financial support."
In the annual report of the VDD, these activists, supporters and compatriots are named and pictures are attached. It's mostly well-known faces: Aleksandrs Gapoņenko, Miroslavs Mitrofanovs, Jurijs Aleksejevs, Vladimirs Lindermans. And Russia has realized that this company needs to be refreshed.
"Last year, Russia continued its purposeful efforts to involve young people living in Latvia in the implementation of the policy goals of its “compatriots”. The analysis of the VDD shows that the implementation of this direction in our country was carried out by the Russian diplomatic mission, which has long tried to find suitable leaders to work with the young generation of "compatriots" to ensure the heritability of defending the Kremlin's interests abroad." According to the security service, the Kremlin has not yet succeeded in this task. The vast majority of Russian young people living in Latvia feel a sense of belonging to Western values, not to the concept of the “Russian world”. However, working with young people has not been abandoned. In the “compatriot” environment, activities are gradually being expanded under the leadership of the Latvijas Jauniešu sabiedrisko organizāciju koordinācijas padome (Coordination Council of Latvian Youth Public Organizations), led by the pro-Kremlin activist Aleksejs Vesjolijs and overseen by the Russian diplomatic corps. The photo shows that Vesjolijs is obviously younger than Lindermans, Gapoņenko and other pro-Kremlin old-timers. And, what is also important, this Vesjolijs and the organization LJSOKP led by him were invited to participate on behalf of the Latvian Russians by the conversation festival Lampa. Thus, the show organized by the liberals actually supported the Kremlin's goal - to undermine the faith of the people of Latvia in their country.
The report mentions another significant fact, which became known at the end of 2020 and which will certainly have an impact on future developments in the struggle for the minds of Latvian Russians and especially young people. Aleksandrs Udaļcovs, the former Ambassador of Russia to Latvia and Lithuania, was appointed the new Executive Director of the Ārvalstīs dzīvojošo tautiešu atbalsta un tiesību aizstāvības fonds (Foundation for the Support and Protection of the Rights of Compatriots Living Abroad). As the VDD predicts:
"His experience of long-term operation in the territory of the Baltic States could have a significant impact on the future activities of the Foundation, placing the Baltic States in the position of the most important target countries for Russia."
The annual report of the VDD also reflects other topics important for national security: counter-intelligence, protection of the constitutional system, security of the information space, operation of foreign special services, energy security. And all of that is joined by the pandemic. Assessing the topical issues of national security last year, the head of the State Security Service Normunds Mežviets concludes:
“2020 will be remembered as a time when our patience, resilience to external vulnerabilities, and our ability to maintain good judgment in the face of prolonged tension and ignorance were tested.”
Good judgment will still be needed.
The full VDD report on the service's activities in 2020 can be read here (in Latvian).
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