Latvia's defense has developed rapidly since beginning of war / Article

<!doctype html> <html class="no-js " lang="en"> <head> <meta charset="utf-8"> <title>Latvia's defense has developed rapidly since beginning of war / Article</title> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.gstatic.com"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="57x57" href="/assets/icons/apple-icon-57x57.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="60x60" href="/assets/icons/apple-icon-60x60.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="72x72" href="/assets/icons/apple-icon-72x72.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="76x76" href="/assets/icons/apple-icon-76x76.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="114x114" href="/assets/icons/apple-icon-114x114.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="120x120" href="/assets/icons/apple-icon-120x120.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="144x144" href="/assets/icons/apple-icon-144x144.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="152x152" href="/assets/icons/apple-icon-152x152.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="180x180" href="/assets/icons/apple-icon-180x180.png"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="192x192" href="/assets/icons/android-icon-192x192.png"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="32x32" href="/assets/icons/favicon-32x32.png"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="96x96" href="/assets/icons/favicon-96x96.png"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="16x16" href="/assets/icons/favicon-16x16.png"> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="/assets/icons/favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon" /> <link rel="icon" href="/assets/icons/favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon" /> <link rel="manifest" href="/manifest.json?8"> <script src="https://consent.cookiefirst.com/sites/eng.lsm.lv-e556b8f8-ce0a-455b-8a80-de8ed9c66226/consent.js" data-language="inherit"></script> <script src="//www.youtube.com/iframe_api" defer></script> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" defer></script> <script src="https://www.google.com/recaptcha/api.js?render=6LeHbKEUAAAAAHMd9HIWdg7llChYY1_3ONdiRBZO" defer></script> <script src="/scripts/src/init.js?v=7da1c343"></script> <script src="/scripts/soundmanager/script/soundmanager2-jsmin.js" defer></script> <script src="/scripts/firebase/8.0.1/firebase-app.js" defer></script> <script src="/scripts/firebase/8.0.1/firebase-messaging.js" defer></script> <script type="text/plain" data-cookiefirst-category="performance"> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag("js", new Date()); gtag("config", "G-E60Y6JHJ22", { cookie_domain: window.location.hostname }); function loadGoogleAnalytics() { var a = document.createElement("script"); a.type = "text/javascript"; a.async = true; a.src = "https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-E60Y6JHJ22"; var b = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; b.parentNode.insertBefore(a, b.nextSibling); } loadGoogleAnalytics(); </script> <script src="https://r.lsm.lv/delivery/asyncjs.php" async></script> <script> var pp_gemius_identifier = 'p3zqyLe8t_ccq8EkzA4ku8ey7xDkQc70SrnjNDgbTNz.f7'; var pp_gemius_init_timeout = Infinity; if (/ EmbeddedBrowser/.test(navigator.userAgent) && /lsmlvapp\//.test(navigator.userAgent)) { pp_gemius_identifier = 'ogHgxLM5fz33MALPWML_D4XB7A8pJVAfyj5as5X6eG3.W7'; } function gemius_pending(i) { window[i] = window[i] || function () { var x = window[i + '_pdata'] = window[i + '_pdata'] || []; x[x.length] = arguments; }; } gemius_pending('gemius_hit'); gemius_pending('gemius_event'); gemius_pending('pp_gemius_hit'); gemius_pending('pp_gemius_event'); (function(d,t) {try {var gt=d.createElement(t),s=d.getElementsByTagName(t)[0],l='http'+((location.protocol=='https:')?'s':''); gt.setAttribute('async','async'); gt.setAttribute('defer','defer'); gt.src=l+'://galv.hit.gemius.pl/xgemius.js'; s.parentNode.insertBefore(gt,s);} catch (e) {}})(document,'script'); window.addEventListener('cf_consent', function (e) { var acceptedCategories = e.detail || {}; if (typeof window.gemius_init === 'function') { window.gemius_init({ consent: !!acceptedCategories.performance }); } }); LSM.events.bind('PageStart', function () { LSM.GemiusHelper.ready(function () { if (LSM.config.cookiefirst.enabled) { LSM.CookieFirstHelper.ready(function () { if (window.CookieFirst.consent !== null) { window.gemius_init({ consent: LSM.CookieFirstHelper.hasConsentForCategory('performance') }); } }); } else { window.gemius_init({ consent: true }); } }); }); </script><script> function loadChartbeat() { var e = document.createElement('script'); var n = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; e.type = 'text/javascript'; e.async = true; e.src = '//static.chartbeat.com/js/chartbeat.js'; n.parentNode.insertBefore(e, n.nextSibling); e = document.createElement('script'); e.type = 'text/javascript'; e.async = true; e.src = '//static.chartbeat.com/js/chartbeat_mab.js'; n.parentNode.insertBefore(e, n.nextSibling); } function initChartbeat() { var _sf_async_config = window._sf_async_config = (window._sf_async_config || {}); _sf_async_config.uid = 66146; _sf_async_config.domain = 'lsm.lv'; _sf_async_config.flickerControl = false; _sf_async_config.useCanonical = true; _sf_async_config.useCanonicalDomain = true; _sf_async_config.cookieDomain = window.location.hostname; _sf_async_config.sections = 'Society,eng.lsm.lv'; _sf_async_config.authors = 'Agnija Lazdiņa,LSM+ English'; _sf_async_config.title = 'Latvia's defense has developed rapidly since beginning of war'; loadChartbeat(); } LSM.events.bind('PageStart', function () { if (LSM.config.cookiefirst.enabled) { LSM.CookieFirstHelper.ready(function () { if (!LSM.CookieFirstHelper.hasConsentForCategory('performance')) { window._sf_async_config = window._sf_async_config || {}; window._sf_async_config.noCookies = true; } initChartbeat(); }); } else { initChartbeat(); } }); </script> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/styles/src/main.css?v=76a15db9"> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/styles/src/prod.css?v=470ba37f"> <link rel="canonical" href="https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/defense/20.02.2025-latvias-defense-has-developed-rapidly-since-beginning-of-war.a588539/" /> <script src="//applets.ebxcdn.com/ebx.js" id="ebx" async></script> <meta name="description" content="Next week marks three years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Latvia has not only provided support to Ukraine but has also developed its defense.&nbsp;Latvian Radio on February 20 asked w..." /> <meta property="og:description" content="Next week marks three years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Latvia has not only provided support to Ukraine but has also developed its defense.&nbsp;Latvian Radio on February 20 asked w..." /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width,initial-scale=1,maximum-scale=1, user-scalable=no" /> <meta property="og:title" content="Latvia's defense has developed rapidly since beginning of war" /> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Latvia's defense has developed rapidly since beginning of war" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <meta property="fb:app_id" content="464636903613591" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/defense/20.02.2025-latvias-defense-has-developed-rapidly-since-beginning-of-war.a588539/" /> <meta name="twitter:url" content="https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/defense/20.02.2025-latvias-defense-has-developed-rapidly-since-beginning-of-war.a588539/" /> <meta property="og:type" content="article" /> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Next week marks three years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Latvia has not only provided support to Ukraine but has also developed its defense.&nbsp;Latvian Radio on February 20 asked w..." /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2023/10/large/1/m5v3.jpg" /> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2023/10/large/1/m5v3.jpg" /> <meta name="articledate" content="2025-02-20T9:07:00EET" /> <meta name="apple-mobile-web-app-title" content="LSM.LV" /> <meta name="msapplication-TileColor" content="#e61a29" /> <meta name="msapplication-TileImage" content="/assets/icons/ms-icon-144x144.png" /> <meta name="theme-color" content="#198ef2" /> <meta name="p:domain_verify" content="c8af163994f4423fa85901c44d370154" /> </head> <body class="mmp-article mmp"> <div id="fb-root"></div> <script> LSM.config = {"urls":{"lv":"https:\/\/www.lsm.lv","ru":"https:\/\/rus.lsm.lv","en":"https:\/\/eng.lsm.lv","uk":"https:\/\/ukr.lsm.lv","be":"https:\/\/bel.lsm.lv","pl":"https:\/\/pol.lsm.lv"},"cookiefirst":{"enabled":true},"facebook":{"appId":"464636903613591"},"recaptcha":{"siteKey":"6LeHbKEUAAAAAHMd9HIWdg7llChYY1_3ONdiRBZO"},"ltv":{"url":"https:\/\/ltv.lsm.lv"},"pages":{"galleries":{"url":"\/galleries\/","title":"Galleries"}}}; LSM.events.send('PageStart'); </script> <header class="globalnav"> <div class="globalnav__top"> <div class="container"> <div class="globalnav__bar"> <section class="globalnav__item" role="navigation"> <ul> <li><a href="https://replay.lsm.lv/" tabindex="20">REplay</a></li> <li> <a href="https://ltv.lsm.lv/" tabindex="20"> <span class="d-none d-sm-block">Latvian Television</span> <span class="d-sm-none">LTV</span> </a> </li> <li><a href="https://latvijasradio.lsm.lv/" tabindex="20"> <span class="d-none d-sm-block">Latvian Radio</span> <span class="d-sm-none">LR</span> </a></li> </ul> </section> <section class="globalnav__item globalnav__item-today"> <p class="long-date">Saturday, February 22</p> <p class="namedays" title="Name day: Rigonda, Adrians, Ārija, Adriāna, Adrija"> <span class="globalnav__item-today-nameday-text">Name day: </span>Rigonda, Adrians, Ārija, Adriāna, Adrija </p> </section> <section class="globalnav__item globalnav__item-languages" role="navigation"> <div class="lang-dropdown"> <a class="dropdown-label" href="https://www.lsm.lv">LSM.lv</a> <div class="dropdown"> <button class="dropdown-toggle" type="button" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-expanded="false"> <span>Languages</span> <img alt="" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,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" /> </button> <ul class="dropdown-menu dropdown-menu-right"> <li> <a href="https://eng.lsm.lv/" class="dropdown-item">In English</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://rus.lsm.lv/" class="dropdown-item">По-русски</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://ukr.lsm.lv/" class="dropdown-item">Українською</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://bel.lsm.lv/" class="dropdown-item">Па-беларуску</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://pol.lsm.lv/" class="dropdown-item">Po polsku</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> </div> <div class="globalnav__second"> <div class="container"> <div class="globalnav__bar"> <div class="globalnav__item globalnav__item-logo"> <a href="/" tabindex="10"> <img src="/assets/logo/lsm_plus_logo.svg" alt="LSM+"/> </a> </div> <section class="globalnav__item globalnav__item-sitename"> Latvian Public Media </section> <section class="globalnav__item globalnav__item-weather"> <a href="/weather/weather/" tabindex="40"><span class="globalnav__item-cityname">In Riga</span> <svg class="weather-icon weather-icon-mostly_cloudy_day" role="presentation"> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="/assets/icons/weather.svg#mostly_cloudy_day"></use> </svg> -3 °C, S wind, 6m/s</a> </section> <section class="globalnav__item globalnav__item-search"> <form action="/search/" method="get" role="search"> <div class="input-group"> <input type="text" name="search_q" class="form-control" placeholder="Search news..." aria-label="Search news..." tabindex="60"> <span class="input-group-append"> <button type="submit" tabindex="65" aria-label="Meklēt"> <i class="icon-search"></i> </button> </span> </div> </form> </section> <section class="globalnav__item globalnav__item-push"> <div id="push-app815727"> <push :start-fcm='true'></push> </div> <script> LSM.events.bind("PageReady", function () { window.$mountVue("#push-app815727"); }); </script> </section> <button type="button" class="sections" tabindex="70"> <span class="txt-open">Menu</span> <span class="txt-close">Close</span> <div class="sections-nav-trigger" title="Topics"></div> </button> </div> </div> </div> </header> <header class="actualnav"> <div class="container"> <nav class="significances"> <span class="significances-title">Important <i class="title__icon icon-arrow_right" role="presentation"></i></span> <div class="significances-wrapper"> <ul class="significances-list visible navbar-nav"> <li class="nav-link"> <a href="/topic/border/" tabindex="80">Border</a> </li> <li class="nav-link"> <a href="/topic/rail-baltica/" tabindex="80">Rail Baltica</a> </li> <li class="nav-link"> <a href="/topic/straumeflow/" tabindex="80">Straume/Flow</a> </li> <li class="nav-link"> <a href="/topic/lvrtc-cable-damage/" tabindex="80">LVRTC cable damage</a> </li> <li class="nav-link"> <a href="/topic/airbaltic/" tabindex="80">airBaltic</a> </li> <li class="nav-link ua-flag"> <a href="/topic/war-in-ukraine/" tabindex="80">War in Ukraine</a> </li> <li class="nav-link"> <a href="/topic/coalition/" tabindex="80">Coalition</a> </li> <li class="nav-link"> <a href="/topic/president/" tabindex="80">President</a> </li> <li class="nav-link"> <a href="/topic/nato/" tabindex="80">NATO in the Baltics</a> </li> <li class="nav-link"> <a href="/topic/keys-to-latvian-history/" tabindex="80">Keys to Latvian history</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="dropdown" aria-hidden="true"> <button class="significances-revealer btn btn-link d-none" type="button">More<i class="icon-arrow2_down"></i> </button> <ul class="significances-list hidden dropdown-menu dropdown-menu-right"></ul> </div> </nav> </div> <div class="categorynav" aria-hidden="true"> <div class="container"> <nav class="categorynav__nav"> <section class="brand-news-bg"> <div class="categorynav__heading"><a href="/politics/politics/" tabindex="75">Politics</a></div> <ul> <li><a href="/politics/diplomacy/" tabindex="75">Diplomacy</a></li> <li><a href="/politics/election/" tabindex="75">Election</a></li> <li><a href="/politics/president/" tabindex="75">President</a></li> <li><a href="/politics/saeima/" tabindex="75">Saeima</a></li> <li><a href="/politics/politics/" tabindex="75">Politics</a></li> </ul> </section> <section class="brand-sports-bg"> <div class="categorynav__heading"><a href="/society/society/" tabindex="75">Society</a></div> <ul> <li><a href="/society/environment/" tabindex="75">Environment</a></li> <li><a href="/society/latvians-abroad/" tabindex="75">Latvians abroad</a></li> <li><a href="/society/education/" tabindex="75">Education and Science</a></li> <li><a href="/society/crime/" tabindex="75">Crime</a></li> <li><a href="/society/health/" tabindex="75">Health</a></li> <li><a href="/society/defense/" tabindex="75">Defense</a></li> <li><a href="/society/society/" tabindex="75">Society</a></li> </ul> </section> <section class="brand-culture-bg"> <div class="categorynav__heading"><a href="/culture/culture/" tabindex="75">Culture</a></div> <ul> <li><a href="/culture/music/" tabindex="75">Music</a></li> <li><a href="/culture/history/" tabindex="75">History</a></li> <li><a href="/culture/art/" tabindex="75">Art</a></li> <li><a href="/culture/literature/" tabindex="75">Literature</a></li> <li><a href="/culture/theater/" tabindex="75">Theater</a></li> <li><a href="/culture/culture/" tabindex="75">Culture</a></li> <li><a href="/culture/sport/" tabindex="75">Sport</a></li> <li><a href="/culture/food-drink/" tabindex="75">Food & Drink</a></li> </ul> </section> <section class="brand-lifestyle-bg"> <div class="categorynav__heading"><a href="/economy/economy/" tabindex="75">Economy</a></div> <ul> <li><a href="/economy/transport/" tabindex="75">Transport</a></li> <li><a href="/economy/banks/" tabindex="75">Banks</a></li> <li><a href="/economy/employment/" tabindex="75">Employment</a></li> <li><a href="/economy/business/" tabindex="75">Business</a></li> <li><a href="/economy/economy/" tabindex="75">Economy</a></li> </ul> </section> <section class="brand-analysis-bg"> <div class="categorynav__heading"><a href="/features/features/" tabindex="75">Features</a></div> <ul> <li><a href="/features/media/" tabindex="75">Media</a></li> <li><a href="/features/commentary/" tabindex="75">Commentary</a></li> <li><a href="/features/video/" tabindex="75">Video</a></li> <li><a href="/features/features/" tabindex="75">Features</a></li> </ul> </section> <section class="brand-weather-bg"> <div class="categorynav__heading"><a href="/weather/weather/" tabindex="75">Weather</a></div> <div class="weathernav"> <div class="weathernav__city">Rīga</div> <div class="weathernav__stats">S wind, 6m/s</div> <div class="weathernav__icon"> <span>-3 °C</span> <i class="icon-mostly_cloudy_day"></i> </div> <p><a href="/weather/weather/" tabindex="75">More</a></p> </div> </section> <div class="categorynav__search"> <form action="/search/" method="get"> <div class="input-group"> <input type="text" name="search_q" class="form-control" placeholder="Search news..."> <span class="input-group-append"> <button class="btn" type="submit"> <i class="icon-search"></i> </button> </span> </div> </form> </div> </nav> </div> </div> </header> <main> <section class="block container d-none"> </section> <section class="block widget-block above-replay"> </section><section class="block mp-block"> <div class="container"> </div> </section><section class="block widget-block below-replay"> </section><section class="block container newsblock"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-12 col-lg-8"> <section class="block"> <article class="article" role="article" tabindex="-1"> <h1 class="article-title">Latvia's defense has developed rapidly since beginning of war</h1> <div class="article-share"> <div class="share-compact " data-link="https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/defense/20.02.2025-latvias-defense-has-developed-rapidly-since-beginning-of-war.a588539/" data-title="Latvia's defense has developed rapidly since beginning of war" data-info=""> <span class="share-caption">Share</span> <div class="share-icons dropdown"> <button type="button" class="dropdown-toggle" data-toggle="dropdown"><i class="icon-share"></i></button> <div class="dropdown-menu"> <button type="button" data-id="draugiem" class="share-trigger draugiem" title="Draugiem"><i class="icon-draugiem"></i></button> <button type="button" data-id="facebook" class="share-trigger facebook" title="Facebook"><i class="icon-facebook"></i></button> <button type="button" data-id="twitter" class="share-trigger x" title="X"><i class="icon-x"></i></button> <button type="button" data-id="clipboard" class="share-trigger clipboard" title="Kopēt starpliktuvē"><i class="icon-copy"></i></button> </div> </div> </div> </div> <a id="media" name="media"></a> <figure class="block gallery-single photo landscape"><picture><img src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2023/10/large/1/m5v3.jpg" alt=""></picture><figcaption><div class="photo__captions"><div class="photo__copyright">Publicitātes attēls</div></div></figcaption></figure> <div class="article__info"> <div class="article__info-items"> <div class="info-item time"> February 20, 9:07 </div> <div class="info-item category"> <a href="/society/defense/">Defense</a> </div> <div class="info-item authors"> <strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://eng.lsm.lv/author/agnija-lazdina/">Agnija Lazdiņa</a> <em>(Latvijas Radio Ziņu dienesta korespondente)</em>, <a href="https://eng.lsm.lv/author/lsm-anglu-valoda/">LSM+ English</a> <em>(Latvian Public Media)</em> </div> </div> </div> <h2 class="article-lead">Next week marks three years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Latvia has not only provided support to Ukraine but has also developed its defense. Latvian Radio on February 20 asked what has been done and whether these activities have made Latvia safer.</h2> <div class="article__body"> <p>"During these three years, Latvia's defense has developed significantly in all areas," Defense Minister Andris Sprūds (Progressives) told Latvian Radio. He said that both public awareness of the common responsibility in the face of the threat of an aggressor power and the awareness of the need to be prepared for different scenarios had increased. There was also a greater awareness of the need to increase funding for defense.</p> <p>"We have invested in our National Armed Forces (NBS), in their capabilities. There are air defense systems and infantry fighting vehicles that we are acquiring, [..]. There is the reintroduction of <a href="https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/defense/30.06.2023-254-people-to-start-first-mandatory-defense-service-in-latvia.a514916/" class="lsm-link" data-type="article" data-id="514916">compulsory military national defense service.</a> The <a href="https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/defense/14.11.2024-nato-multinational-brigade-undergoes-first-drills-at-adazi-base.a576378/" class="lsm-link" data-type="article" data-id="576378">NATO multinational brigade</a> has been deployed here on the ground. At a moment when there are existential questions, and threats to freedom, to the security of our country, I think that is when we are all absolutely united. Because here, in defense, it is a testament to our unity, to our ability to mobilize. This does not mean that there is not more to do - there is still homework to do," said Sprūds.</p> <p>Spruds pointed out that all areas of defense - from munitions to advanced technologies - should continue to be developed, with particular emphasis on the development of a drone army and counter-drone systems.</p> <p>He acknowledged that in the past, defense had not received enough attention, but now Latvia was actively developing it.</p> <p></p><div class="related-articles-inline left" data-layout="vertical" data-items-count="1"><article class="thumbnail brand-news-hov compact-wide wide compact-wide-3by4"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/politics/saeima/06.12.2024-saeima-adopts-latvias-2025-budget.a579327/?utm_source=lsm&utm_medium=article-body&utm_campaign=admin" target="_blank"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2024/12/thumbnail/1/p9vk.png" alt="Saeima adopts Latvia's 2025 budget"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"></div></figure><figcaption class="brand-news-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/politics/saeima/06.12.2024-saeima-adopts-latvias-2025-budget.a579327/?utm_source=lsm&utm_medium=article-body&utm_campaign=admin" target="_blank"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">Saeima adopts Latvia's 2025 budget</span></a><div class="thumbnail__icons"><time>December 6, 2024, 20:01</time></div></figcaption></article></div> <p>Latvia is also investing more and more financially in defense. Defense is a priority in this year's national budget. Latvia allocates more than EUR 1.5 billion, or 3.45% of gross domestic product, to defense. Next year, the government has committed to allocate at least 4% of GDP to defense, and 5% of GDP in the following years.</p> <p>Latvia's defense industry has also developed rapidly since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. According to Elīna Egle-Ločmele, head of the <a href="https://federacija.lv/en" target="_blank">Latvian Federation of Security and Defense Industries</a>, at the beginning, entrepreneurs helped Ukraine without financial support. But later, with funding from the Latvian government and international funds, including NATO and the European Union, the industry was able to develop in ways it could never have dreamed of before.</p> <p></p><div class="related-articles-inline left" data-layout="vertical" data-items-count="1"><article class="thumbnail brand-sports-hov compact-wide wide compact-wide-3by4"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/society/defense/27.03.2024-latvia-adopts-defense-industry-law.a548277/?utm_source=lsm&utm_medium=article-body&utm_campaign=admin" target="_blank"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2021/04/thumbnail/4/f213.jpg" alt="Latvia adopts Defense Industry Law"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"></div></figure><figcaption class="brand-sports-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/society/defense/27.03.2024-latvia-adopts-defense-industry-law.a548277/?utm_source=lsm&utm_medium=article-body&utm_campaign=admin" target="_blank"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">Latvia adopts Defense Industry Law</span></a><div class="thumbnail__icons"><time>March 27, 2024, 10:16</time></div></figcaption></article></div> <p>In the last three years, Latvia significantly developed especially the drone, optics and mechanical engineering sectors. </p> <p>However, as the head of the federation acknowledged, stable funding is still essential for the long-term development of the sector:</p> <p>"Large projects have largely been focused on the well-established, large military manufacturers. At the same time, companies that have been very active in innovation, both in these autonomous drone systems, in various demining equipment, micro-mobility systems, and infrastructure maintenance services - this has also been such a very big breakthrough for our companies. The third big benefit that has been for the industry is the cooperation with our Ukrainian colleagues. Also, companies have traveled independently, participated in tests, worked with units - this gives a lot of knowledge, the opportunity to develop products that are better suited to the war field and the needs of the soldiers."</p> <p>Latvia's defense development started in 2014 after the annexation of Crimea and the invasion of Donbas, said Jānis Kažociņ&scaron;, Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Geopolitical Studies, pointing out that it was then that Latvia started to understand that it could not rely only on NATO, but also needed to strengthen its defense:</p> <p>"We have a kind of bureaucracy that has delayed some things, but mostly what we have done ourselves is very positive. We have increased the number of soldiers. We have transformed the National Guard from being a bit of a lost child into a very serious territorial defense force.</p> <blockquote> <p>"The comprehensive national defense system - it is not much talked about, but it is very important that the civilian sector works together with the armed forces. We have national defense training now compulsory in schools, we have a national defense service. We have developed the Lielvārde airfield, we are developing the Sēlija training ground. This is a lot, and it has changed since 2014, but especially in the last three years."</p> </blockquote> <p>The security researcher admitted, however, that there is still a lot to be done, especially in the internal affairs structures, such as the State Police, the State Fire and Rescue Service, and the State Border Guard. These services need more funding to ensure competitive salaries, modern equipment and a proper working environment.</p> <p>This is essential, as the home affairs services will also play an important role in protecting the country in a crisis.</p> <p>At the same time, Kažociņ&scaron; stressed that these issues are being addressed, as evidenced by the funding allocated to defense in the national budget:</p> <p>"We all know that the state budget is difficult. We need more money for health, for teachers, for infrastructure. But the fact that we have grown our defense budget very rapidly, completely on a consensus basis, is a very big indicator that the public in general understands that this is necessary."</p> </div> <div class="article__report"> <div class="icon"></div> <div class="desc"> <strong>Seen a mistake?</strong> <p class="d-none d-md-block">Select text and press <span>Ctrl+Enter</span> to send a suggested correction to the editor</p> <p class="d-md-none">Select text and press <span>Report a mistake</span> to send a suggested correction to the editor</p> </div> <div class="article__report-btn d-none d-md-none"> <button class="btn btn-danger btn-lg">Tell us about a mistake</button> </div> </div> </article> </section> <script> LSM.events.bind('PageReady', function () { LSM.articles.init(); LSM.articles.reportArticleId = 588539; LSM.articles.reportUrl = '?rt=articles&ac=reportArticleError'; LSM.articles.reportArticleLink = '/article/society/defense/20.02.2025-latvias-defense-has-developed-rapidly-since-beginning-of-war.a588539/'; }); </script> <section class="block" id="article-related"> <div class="block-heading tags-heading"> <span>Related articles</span> <div id="push-subscription-to-themes78183"> <push-subscription-to-themes :data='[{"id":2100,"link":"\/topic\/defense\/","title":"Defense"},{"id":3717,"link":"\/topic\/industry\/","title":"Industry"},{"id":1659,"link":"\/topic\/budget\/","title":"Budget"},{"id":2101,"link":"\/topic\/defense-ministry\/","title":"Defense Ministry"},{"id":16655,"link":"\/topic\/andris-spruds\/","title":"Andris Spruds"},{"id":6327,"link":"\/topic\/national-armed-forces\/","title":"National Armed Forces"},{"id":12883,"link":"\/topic\/national-guard\/","title":"National Guard"},{"id":6078,"link":"\/topic\/military\/","title":"Military"}]' :apilink="'https://push.lsm.lv/api/'" :type="'related'"></push-subscription-to-themes> </div> <script> LSM.events.bind("PageReady", function () { window.$mountVue("#push-subscription-to-themes78183"); }); </script> </div> <div class="row two-large-thumbnails"> <div class="col-12 col-sm-6"> <article class="thumbnail brand-sports-hov normal wide"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/society/defense/21.02.2025-jekabpils-national-guard-military-drills-this-weekend.a588722/?utm_source=lsm&utm_medium=article-bottom&utm_campaign=article"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2025/02/thumbnail/1/pt9f.jpg" alt="Jēkabpils National Guard military drills this weekend"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"></div></figure><figcaption class="brand-sports-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/society/defense/21.02.2025-jekabpils-national-guard-military-drills-this-weekend.a588722/?utm_source=lsm&utm_medium=article-bottom&utm_campaign=article"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">Jēkabpils National Guard military drills this weekend</span></a><div class="thumbnail__icons"><time>Yesterday, 9:39</time></div></figcaption></article> </div> <div class="col-12 col-sm-6"> <article class="thumbnail brand-sports-hov normal wide"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/society/defense/20.02.2025-oak-resolve-military-drills-start-friday-in-latvia.a588653/?utm_source=lsm&utm_medium=article-bottom&utm_campaign=article"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2025/02/thumbnail/1/psfc.jpg" alt="'Oak Resolve' military drills start Friday in Latvia"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"></div></figure><figcaption class="brand-sports-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/society/defense/20.02.2025-oak-resolve-military-drills-start-friday-in-latvia.a588653/?utm_source=lsm&utm_medium=article-bottom&utm_campaign=article"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">'Oak Resolve' military drills start Friday in Latvia</span></a><div class="thumbnail__icons"><time>February 20, 20:08</time></div></figcaption></article> </div> </div> <div class="row three-in-row"> <div class="col-6 col-md-4"> <article class="thumbnail brand-sports-hov small wide xl--normal"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/society/defense/18.02.2025-latvia-says-it-will-ramp-up-defense-spending-even-more.a588329/"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2018/10/thumbnail/1/a5ey.jpg" alt="Latvia says it will ramp up defense spending even more"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"></div></figure><figcaption class="brand-sports-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/society/defense/18.02.2025-latvia-says-it-will-ramp-up-defense-spending-even-more.a588329/"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">Latvia says it will ramp up defense spending even more</span></a><div class="thumbnail__icons"><time>February 18, 18:37</time></div></figcaption></article> </div> <div class="col-6 col-md-4"> <article class="thumbnail brand-sports-hov small wide xl--normal"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/society/defense/18.02.2025-latvian-land-drone-being-combat-tested-in-ukraine.a588272/"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2021/11/thumbnail/1/gmcr.jpg" alt="Latvian 'land drone' being combat-tested in Ukraine"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"></div></figure><figcaption class="brand-sports-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/society/defense/18.02.2025-latvian-land-drone-being-combat-tested-in-ukraine.a588272/"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">Latvian 'land drone' being combat-tested in Ukraine</span><i class="icon-photo" role="presentation"></i></a><div class="thumbnail__icons"><time>February 18, 14:17</time></div></figcaption></article> </div> <div class="col-6 col-md-4"> <article class="thumbnail brand-sports-hov small wide xl--normal"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/society/defense/18.02.2025-patria-vehicles-go-out-on-latvian-roads.a588204/"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2025/02/thumbnail/1/psdl.jpg" alt="Patria vehicles go out on the roads"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"></div></figure><figcaption class="brand-sports-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/society/defense/18.02.2025-patria-vehicles-go-out-on-latvian-roads.a588204/"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">Patria vehicles go out on the roads</span></a><div class="thumbnail__icons"><time>February 18, 7:42</time></div></figcaption></article> </div> </div> </section> <div class="mt-3 hide-brand-labels"> <div class="module-heading large"> <span role="heading" aria-level="1" class="brand-sports-tx">Defense</span> </div><div class="row three-in-row"> <div class="col-6 col-md-4"> <article class="thumbnail brand-sports-hov normal wide xs--small sm--small md--small"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/society/defense/21.02.2025-norway-officially-joins-drone-coalition-for-ukraine.a588806/?utm_source=lsm&utm_medium=article-bottom&utm_campaign=article"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2025/02/thumbnail/1/pr7g.jpg" alt="Norway officially joins Drone Coalition for Ukraine"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"><span class="thumbnail__category brand-sports-bg"><em>Defense</em></span></div></figure><figcaption class="brand-sports-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/society/defense/21.02.2025-norway-officially-joins-drone-coalition-for-ukraine.a588806/?utm_source=lsm&utm_medium=article-bottom&utm_campaign=article"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">Norway officially joins Drone Coalition for Ukraine</span></a><div class="thumbnail__icons"><time>Yesterday, 16:42</time></div></figcaption></article> </div> <div class="col-6 col-md-4"> <article class="thumbnail brand-sports-hov normal wide xs--small sm--small md--small"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/society/defense/20.02.2025-contract-signed-to-put-surveillance-systems-on-latvian-russian-border.a588597/?utm_source=lsm&utm_medium=article-bottom&utm_campaign=article"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2025/02/thumbnail/1/pt0f.jpg" alt="Contract signed to put surveillance systems on Latvian-Russian border"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"><span class="thumbnail__category brand-sports-bg"><em>Defense</em></span></div></figure><figcaption class="brand-sports-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/society/defense/20.02.2025-contract-signed-to-put-surveillance-systems-on-latvian-russian-border.a588597/?utm_source=lsm&utm_medium=article-bottom&utm_campaign=article"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">Contract signed to put surveillance systems on Latvian-Russian border</span></a><div class="thumbnail__icons"><time>February 20, 13:47</time></div></figcaption></article> </div> <div class="col-6 col-md-4"> <article class="thumbnail brand-sports-hov normal wide xs--small sm--small md--small"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/society/defense/19.02.2025-latvia-pushes-eu-funding-toward-bomb-shelter-development.a588378/?utm_source=lsm&utm_medium=article-bottom&utm_campaign=article"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2025/01/thumbnail/1/plms.jpg" alt="Latvia pushes EU funding toward bomb shelter development"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"><span class="thumbnail__category brand-sports-bg"><em>Defense</em></span></div></figure><figcaption class="brand-sports-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/society/defense/19.02.2025-latvia-pushes-eu-funding-toward-bomb-shelter-development.a588378/?utm_source=lsm&utm_medium=article-bottom&utm_campaign=article"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">Latvia pushes EU funding toward bomb shelter development</span></a><div class="thumbnail__icons"><time>February 19, 9:57</time></div></figcaption></article> </div> <div class="col-6 col-md-4"> <article class="thumbnail brand-sports-hov normal wide xs--small sm--small md--small"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/society/defense/19.02.2025-association-basic-hygiene-items-always-needed-for-ukrainian-soldiers.a588355/?utm_source=lsm&utm_medium=article-bottom&utm_campaign=article"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2024/10/thumbnail/1/ovs3.jpg" alt="Association: Basic hygiene items always needed for Ukrainian soldiers"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"><span class="thumbnail__category brand-sports-bg"><em>Defense</em></span></div></figure><figcaption class="brand-sports-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/society/defense/19.02.2025-association-basic-hygiene-items-always-needed-for-ukrainian-soldiers.a588355/?utm_source=lsm&utm_medium=article-bottom&utm_campaign=article"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">Association: Basic hygiene items always needed for Ukrainian soldiers</span><i class="icon-play" role="presentation"></i></a><div class="thumbnail__icons"><time>February 19, 7:25</time></div></figcaption></article> </div> <div class="col-6 col-md-4"> <article class="thumbnail brand-sports-hov normal wide xs--small sm--small md--small"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/society/defense/17.02.2025-latvian-media-to-jointly-play-ukrainian-anthem-on-february-24.a588142/?utm_source=lsm&utm_medium=article-bottom&utm_campaign=article"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2025/02/thumbnail/7/psat.jpg" alt="Latvian media to jointly play Ukrainian anthem on February 24"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"><span class="thumbnail__category brand-sports-bg"><em>Defense</em></span></div></figure><figcaption class="brand-sports-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/society/defense/17.02.2025-latvian-media-to-jointly-play-ukrainian-anthem-on-february-24.a588142/?utm_source=lsm&utm_medium=article-bottom&utm_campaign=article"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">Latvian media to jointly play Ukrainian anthem on February 24</span></a><div class="thumbnail__icons"><time>February 17, 16:16</time></div></figcaption></article> </div> <div class="col-6 col-md-4"> <article class="thumbnail brand-sports-hov normal wide xs--small sm--small md--small"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/society/defense/17.02.2025-low-nato-flights-over-vidzeme-latgale-this-week.a588112/?utm_source=lsm&utm_medium=article-bottom&utm_campaign=article"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2024/03/thumbnail/1/nd61.jpg" alt="Low NATO flights over Vidzeme, Latgale this week"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"><span class="thumbnail__category brand-sports-bg"><em>Defense</em></span></div></figure><figcaption class="brand-sports-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/society/defense/17.02.2025-low-nato-flights-over-vidzeme-latgale-this-week.a588112/?utm_source=lsm&utm_medium=article-bottom&utm_campaign=article"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">Low NATO flights over Vidzeme, Latgale this week</span></a><div class="thumbnail__icons"><time>February 17, 13:44</time></div></figcaption></article> </div> </div> </div> <div class="mt-3"> <div class="module-heading large"> <span role="heading" aria-level="1" class="brand-sports-tx">Society</span> </div><div class="row three-in-row"> <div class="col-6 col-md-4"> <article class="thumbnail brand-sports-hov normal wide xs--small sm--small md--small"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/society/society/21.02.2025-latvian-project-makes-final-three-for-top-european-social-innovation-prize.a588819/?utm_source=lsm&utm_medium=article-bottom&utm_campaign=article"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2025/02/thumbnail/1/ptgt.png" alt="Latvian project makes final three for top European social innovation prize"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"><span class="thumbnail__category brand-sports-bg"><em>Society</em></span></div></figure><figcaption class="brand-sports-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/society/society/21.02.2025-latvian-project-makes-final-three-for-top-european-social-innovation-prize.a588819/?utm_source=lsm&utm_medium=article-bottom&utm_campaign=article"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">Latvian project makes final three for top European social innovation prize</span></a><div class="thumbnail__icons"><time>Yesterday, 18:07</time></div></figcaption></article> </div> <div class="col-6 col-md-4"> <article class="thumbnail brand-sports-hov normal wide xs--small sm--small md--small"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/society/crime/21.02.2025-warning-issued-over-signal-app-attack-by-russian-hackers.a588814/?utm_source=lsm&utm_medium=article-bottom&utm_campaign=article"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2025/01/thumbnail/1/phi7.jpg" alt="Warning issued over 'Signal' app attack by Russian hackers"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"><span class="thumbnail__category brand-sports-bg"><em>Crime</em></span></div></figure><figcaption class="brand-sports-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/society/crime/21.02.2025-warning-issued-over-signal-app-attack-by-russian-hackers.a588814/?utm_source=lsm&utm_medium=article-bottom&utm_campaign=article"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">Warning issued over 'Signal' app attack by Russian hackers</span></a><div class="thumbnail__icons"><time>Yesterday, 17:30</time></div></figcaption></article> </div> <div class="col-6 col-md-4"> <article class="thumbnail brand-sports-hov normal wide xs--small sm--small md--small"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/society/health/21.02.2025-latvian-radio-reports-on-e-cigarette-loophole-and-lobbyists.a588360/?utm_source=lsm&utm_medium=article-bottom&utm_campaign=article"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2025/02/thumbnail/1/psyf.jpg" alt="Latvian Radio reports on e-cigarette loophole and lobbyists"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"><span class="thumbnail__category brand-sports-bg"><em>Health</em></span></div></figure><figcaption class="brand-sports-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/society/health/21.02.2025-latvian-radio-reports-on-e-cigarette-loophole-and-lobbyists.a588360/?utm_source=lsm&utm_medium=article-bottom&utm_campaign=article"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">Latvian Radio reports on e-cigarette loophole and lobbyists</span><i class="icon-play" role="presentation"></i></a><div class="thumbnail__icons"><time>Yesterday, 16:27</time></div></figcaption></article> </div> <div class="col-6 col-md-4"> <article class="thumbnail brand-sports-hov normal wide xs--small sm--small md--small"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/society/environment/21.02.2025-latvian-nature-museum-wants-your-best-bird-photos.a588729/?utm_source=lsm&utm_medium=article-bottom&utm_campaign=article"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2025/02/thumbnail/1/pt94.jpg" alt="Latvian nature museum wants your best bird photos"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"><span class="thumbnail__category brand-sports-bg"><em>Environment</em></span></div></figure><figcaption class="brand-sports-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/society/environment/21.02.2025-latvian-nature-museum-wants-your-best-bird-photos.a588729/?utm_source=lsm&utm_medium=article-bottom&utm_campaign=article"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">Latvian nature museum wants your best bird photos</span></a><div class="thumbnail__icons"><time>Yesterday, 10:43</time></div></figcaption></article> </div> <div class="col-6 col-md-4"> <article class="thumbnail brand-sports-hov normal wide xs--small sm--small md--small"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/society/crime/21.02.2025-prosecutors-driver-caught-drunk-behind-the-wheel-in-liepaja-latvia.a588701/?utm_source=lsm&utm_medium=article-bottom&utm_campaign=article"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2020/10/thumbnail/1/e0qs.jpg" alt="Prosecutor's driver caught drunk behind the wheel"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"><span class="thumbnail__category brand-sports-bg"><em>Crime</em></span></div></figure><figcaption class="brand-sports-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/society/crime/21.02.2025-prosecutors-driver-caught-drunk-behind-the-wheel-in-liepaja-latvia.a588701/?utm_source=lsm&utm_medium=article-bottom&utm_campaign=article"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">Prosecutor's driver caught drunk behind the wheel</span><i class="icon-play" role="presentation"></i></a><div class="thumbnail__icons"><time>Yesterday, 8:21</time></div></figcaption></article> </div> <div class="col-6 col-md-4"> <article class="thumbnail brand-sports-hov normal wide xs--small sm--small md--small"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/society/society/21.02.2025-another-aid-shipment-goes-from-latvia-to-ukraine.a588695/?utm_source=lsm&utm_medium=article-bottom&utm_campaign=article"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2025/02/thumbnail/1/pt4m.jpg" alt="Another aid shipment goes from Latvia to Ukraine"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"><span class="thumbnail__category brand-sports-bg"><em>Society</em></span><span class="thumbnail__channel ltv1"><span class="channel-logo channel-logo--ltv1 bw"></span></span></div></figure><figcaption class="brand-sports-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/society/society/21.02.2025-another-aid-shipment-goes-from-latvia-to-ukraine.a588695/?utm_source=lsm&utm_medium=article-bottom&utm_campaign=article"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">Another aid shipment goes from Latvia to Ukraine</span><i class="icon-play" role="presentation"></i></a><div class="thumbnail__icons"><time>Yesterday, 7:29</time></div></figcaption></article> </div> </div></div> <script type="application/ld+json">{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/eng.lsm.lv\/article\/society\/defense\/20.02.2025-latvias-defense-has-developed-rapidly-since-beginning-of-war.a588539\/"},"headline":"Latvia's defense has developed rapidly since beginning of war","datePublished":"2025-02-20T9:07:00EET","dateModified":"2025-02-20T9:07:00EET","articleBody":"\"During these three years, Latvia's defense has developed significantly in all areas,\" Defense Minister Andris Spr\u016bds (Progressives) told Latvian Radio. He said that both public awareness of the common responsibility in the face of the threat of an aggressor power and the awareness of the need to be prepared for different scenarios had increased. There was also a greater awareness of the need to increase funding for defense. \"We have invested in our National Armed Forces (NBS), in their capabilities. There are air defense systems and infantry fighting vehicles that we are acquiring, [..]. There is the reintroduction of compulsory military national defense service. The NATO multinational brigade has been deployed here on the ground. At a moment when there are existential questions, and threats to freedom, to the security of our country, I think that is when we are all absolutely united. Because here, in defense, it is a testament to our unity, to our ability to mobilize. This does not mean that there is not more to do - there is still homework to do,\" said Spr\u016bds. Spruds pointed out that all areas of defense - from munitions to advanced technologies - should continue to be developed, with particular emphasis on the development of a drone army and counter-drone systems. He acknowledged that in the past, defense had not received enough attention, but now Latvia was actively developing it. Saeima adopts Latvia's 2025 budgetDecember 6, 2024, 20:01 Latvia is also investing more and more financially in defense. Defense is a priority in this year's national budget. Latvia allocates more than EUR 1.5 billion, or 3.45% of gross domestic product, to defense. Next year, the government has committed to allocate at least 4% of GDP to defense, and 5% of GDP in the following years. Latvia's defense industry has also developed rapidly since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. According to El\u012bna Egle-Lo\u010dmele, head of the Latvian Federation of Security and Defense Industries, at the beginning, entrepreneurs helped Ukraine without financial support. But later, with funding from the Latvian government and international funds, including NATO and the European Union, the industry was able to develop in ways it could never have dreamed of before. Latvia adopts Defense Industry LawMarch 27, 2024, 10:16 In the last three years, Latvia significantly developed especially the drone, optics and mechanical engineering sectors. However, as the head of the federation acknowledged, stable funding is still essential for the long-term development of the sector: \"Large projects have largely been focused on the well-established, large military manufacturers. At the same time, companies that have been very active in innovation, both in these autonomous drone systems, in various demining equipment, micro-mobility systems, and infrastructure maintenance services - this has also been such a very big breakthrough for our companies. The third big benefit that has been for the industry is the cooperation with our Ukrainian colleagues. Also, companies have traveled independently, participated in tests, worked with units - this gives a lot of knowledge, the opportunity to develop products that are better suited to the war field and the needs of the soldiers.\" Latvia's defense development started in 2014 after the annexation of Crimea and the invasion of Donbas, said J\u0101nis Ka\u017eoci\u0146\u0161, Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Geopolitical Studies, pointing out that it was then that Latvia started to understand that it could not rely only on NATO, but also needed to strengthen its defense: \"We have a kind of bureaucracy that has delayed some things, but mostly what we have done ourselves is very positive. We have increased the number of soldiers. We have transformed the National Guard from being a bit of a lost child into a very serious territorial defense force. \"The comprehensive national defense system - it is not much talked about, but it is very important that the civilian sector works together with the armed forces. We have national defense training now compulsory in schools, we have a national defense service. We have developed the Lielv\u0101rde airfield, we are developing the S\u0113lija training ground. This is a lot, and it has changed since 2014, but especially in the last three years.\" The security researcher admitted, however, that there is still a lot to be done, especially in the internal affairs structures, such as the State Police, the State Fire and Rescue Service, and the State Border Guard. These services need more funding to ensure competitive salaries, modern equipment and a proper working environment. This is essential, as the home affairs services will also play an important role in protecting the country in a crisis. At the same time, Ka\u017eoci\u0146\u0161 stressed that these issues are being addressed, as evidenced by the funding allocated to defense in the national budget: \"We all know that the state budget is difficult. We need more money for health, for teachers, for infrastructure. But the fact that we have grown our defense budget very rapidly, completely on a consensus basis, is a very big indicator that the public in general understands that this is necessary.\" ","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"LSM","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/eng.lsm.lv\/public\/assets\/design\/dm_logo.gif","width":291,"height":41}},"description":"Next week marks three years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Latvia has not only provided support to Ukraine but has also developed its defense. Latvian Radio on February 20 asked what has been done and whether these activities have made Latvia safer.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Agnija Lazdi\u0146a"},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/static.lsm.lv\/media\/2023\/10\/large\/1\/m5v3.jpg","height":"1194","width":"796"}}</script> </div> <div class="col-12 col-lg-4"> <div class="block day-video-block actual-media"> <article class="thumbnail wide"> <figure> <button type="button" class="thumbnail__image play-day-video lazy" data-bg="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2025/02/thumbnail/1/pt7h.jpg" aria-label="Atskaņot"></button> <span class="video__duration" aria-hidden="true">03:59</span> <button type="button" class="icon-video__play play-day-video" aria-label="Atskaņot"><i class="icon-play"></i></button> <span class="icon-video__volume" role="presentation"><i class="icon-mmp-volume"></i></span> <div class="thumbnail__gradient-overlay" role="presentation"></div> </figure> <div class="embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9" style="display: none;"> <iframe class="embed-responsive-item" data-src="https://ltv.lsm.lv/embed?c=eyJpdiI6Ijdva0dvaHpldVBiMVdISzFGRHRqQlE9PSIsInZhbHVlIjoiYzA5WWdZdzJsWE8vZ3U4KzRibERVY1h2TmZreXg4bk83M1ZrSi9FTWt6UldYM0VhdzlhL2F2WHJZa3d1OHBBRnU0VFNwM2ZKUlB0YlFVSmVNeEMwaHE1eHIyZk9sellnT2lkc3hiR1hPazRWQUxSek8yWVdOZzhsZjJPTXNibGIiLCJtYWMiOiJmYWI2ZTM2NDQ4NmEyYmM4ZTU0Y2U1OTNmNmVlMzZhMTE0MWFhZGM4NmM2ZWJkMGEzYTY5MDA1NzczYmMzNGE2In0=" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; fullscreen" data-dont-use-sdk></iframe> </div> <figcaption> <button type="button" class="thumbnail__caption play-day-video" aria-label="Atskaņot"> Football team from Līvāni played tournaments in Belarus </button> </figcaption> </article> </div> <script> LSM.events.bind('PageReady', function () { $('.day-video-block.actual-media').find('.play-day-video').on('click', function (e) { e.preventDefault(); var $article = $(this).closest('article'); var $iframe = $article.find('iframe.embed-responsive-item'); if ($iframe.attr('src')) { return; } if (($iframe.data('cookiefirst-category') && LSM.CookieFirstHelper.hasConsentForCategory($iframe.data('cookiefirst-category'))) || !$iframe.data('cookiefirst-category')) { $iframe.attr('src', $iframe.data('src')); $article.find('figure').remove(); $iframe.closest('.embed-responsive').show(); } }); }); </script> <script> LSM.events.bind('PageReady', function () { var mediaSidebarIsLivestream = 0; if (mediaSidebarIsLivestream) { var mediaSidebarInterval = setInterval(function () { $.get('/?rt=site/&ac=livestreamsInfo', {ids: mediaSidebarIsLivestream}, function (data) { if (!data.livestreams[mediaSidebarIsLivestream].is_active) { $(".day-video-block .embed-responsive-item ").replaceWith("<div class='mmp-live-ended'><div class='mmp-live-alert'><span class='mmp-live-logo'>Tie&scaron;ais ēters beidzies"); clearInterval(mediaSidebarInterval); } }) }, 60000); } }); </script> <section class="mmp-thumbnail-playlist"> <article class="thumbnail brand-sports-hov text-only "><figcaption class="brand-sports-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/society/health/21.02.2025-latvian-radio-reports-on-e-cigarette-loophole-and-lobbyists.a588360/"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">Latvian Radio reports on e-cigarette loophole and lobbyists</span><i class="icon-play" role="presentation"></i></a></figcaption></article><article class="thumbnail brand-sports-hov text-only "><figcaption class="brand-sports-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/society/crime/21.02.2025-prosecutors-driver-caught-drunk-behind-the-wheel-in-liepaja-latvia.a588701/"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">Prosecutor's driver caught drunk behind the wheel</span><i class="icon-play" role="presentation"></i></a></figcaption></article><article class="thumbnail brand-sports-hov text-only "><figcaption class="brand-sports-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/society/society/21.02.2025-another-aid-shipment-goes-from-latvia-to-ukraine.a588695/"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">Another aid shipment goes from Latvia to Ukraine</span><i class="icon-play" role="presentation"></i><span class="thumbnail__duration">02:52</span></a></figcaption></article><article class="thumbnail brand-analysis-hov text-only "><figcaption class="brand-analysis-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/features/video/20.02.2025-mountaineering-movie-to-profile-baltic-climbing-legend-teodors-kirsis.a588560/"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">Mountaineering movie to profile Baltic climbing legend Teodors Ķirsis</span><i class="icon-play" role="presentation"></i></a></figcaption></article><article class="thumbnail brand-culture-hov text-only "><figcaption class="brand-culture-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/culture/sport/20.02.2025-latvia-takes-on-spain-in-tempting-basketball-clash.a588589/"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">Latvia takes on Spain in tempting basketball clash</span><i class="icon-play" role="presentation"></i></a></figcaption></article> </section><div class="block social-icons-block"> <div class="block-title" role="heading" aria-level="1">Follow Eng.Lsm.lv on social media!</div> <ul class="social-icons"> <li><a class="facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/LSMnews" title="Facebook"><i class="icon-facebook"></i></a></li> <li><a class="x" href="https://twitter.com/LSM_eng" title="X"><i class="icon-x"></i></a></li> <li><a class="linkedin" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/lsm-lv/" title="Linkedin"><i class="icon-linkedin"></i></a></li> </ul> <script> document.querySelectorAll('ul.social-icons a').forEach(function (a) { a.addEventListener('click', function (e) { e.preventDefault(); gtag('event', 'subscribe', { event_social: e.currentTarget.className, event_language: 'en' }); window.location.href = e.currentTarget.href; }); }); </script> </div> <div class="block"><div class="module-heading has-dropdown"> <span role="heading" aria-level="1"> <a href="/archive/">Latest news</a> </span> <ul id="latest-news-dropdown" class="nav" role="tablist"> <li class="dropdown"> <button type="button" class="dropdown-toggle" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false"> <i class="cat-bullet"></i> <span>All channels</span> </button> <div class="dropdown-menu"> <a class="dropdown-item" data-toggle="tab" role="tab" aria-controls="news-all" href="#news-all"> <i class="cat-bullet"></i> All channels </a> <a class="dropdown-item" data-toggle="tab" role="tab" aria-controls="news-315" aria-selected="false" href="#news-315"> <i class="cat-bullet brand-news-bg"></i> Politics </a> <a class="dropdown-item" data-toggle="tab" role="tab" aria-controls="news-278" aria-selected="false" href="#news-278"> <i class="cat-bullet brand-sports-bg"></i> Society </a> <a class="dropdown-item" data-toggle="tab" role="tab" aria-controls="news-277" aria-selected="false" href="#news-277"> <i class="cat-bullet brand-culture-bg"></i> Culture </a> <a class="dropdown-item" data-toggle="tab" role="tab" aria-controls="news-276" aria-selected="false" href="#news-276"> <i class="cat-bullet brand-lifestyle-bg"></i> Economy </a> <a class="dropdown-item" data-toggle="tab" role="tab" aria-controls="news-333" aria-selected="false" href="#news-333"> <i class="cat-bullet brand-analysis-bg"></i> Features </a> <a class="dropdown-item" data-toggle="tab" role="tab" aria-controls="news-318" aria-selected="false" href="#news-318"> <i class="cat-bullet brand-weather-bg"></i> Weather </a> </div> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="tab-content"> <div class="tab-pane active" id="news-all" role="tabpanel"> <article class="list-article brand-lifestyle-hov"><time>Yesterday, 18:20</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/economy/economy/21.02.2025-latvian-producer-prices-down-on-year-up-on-month-in-january.a588824/">Latvian producer prices down on year, up on month in January</a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-sports-hov"><time>Yesterday, 18:07</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/society/society/21.02.2025-latvian-project-makes-final-three-for-top-european-social-innovation-prize.a588819/">Latvian project makes final three for top European social innovation prize</a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-sports-hov"><time>Yesterday, 17:30</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/society/crime/21.02.2025-warning-issued-over-signal-app-attack-by-russian-hackers.a588814/">Warning issued over 'Signal' app attack by Russian hackers</a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-sports-hov"><time>Yesterday, 16:42</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/society/defense/21.02.2025-norway-officially-joins-drone-coalition-for-ukraine.a588806/">Norway officially joins Drone Coalition for Ukraine</a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-sports-hov"><time>Yesterday, 16:27</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/society/health/21.02.2025-latvian-radio-reports-on-e-cigarette-loophole-and-lobbyists.a588360/">Latvian Radio reports on e-cigarette loophole and lobbyists<i class="icon-play"></i></a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-news-hov important"><time>Yesterday, 16:03</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/politics/politics/21.02.2025-pm-silina-asks-three-ministers-to-resign.a588794/">PM Siliņa asks three ministers to resign</a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-lifestyle-hov"><time>Yesterday, 13:46</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/economy/transport/21.02.2025-rail-baltica-board-will-wait-for-latvias-remaining-debts-until-april.a588763/">Rail Baltica board will wait for Latvia's remaining debts until April</a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-lifestyle-hov"><time>Yesterday, 13:26</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/economy/economy/21.02.2025-consumer-rights-body-finds-unfair-discount-practices-in-latvian-e-shops.a588759/">Consumer rights body finds unfair discount practices in Latvian e-shops</a></div></article> </div> <div class="tab-pane " id="news-315" role="tabpanel"> <article class="list-article brand-news-hov important"><time>Yesterday, 16:03</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/politics/politics/21.02.2025-pm-silina-asks-three-ministers-to-resign.a588794/">PM Siliņa asks three ministers to resign</a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-news-hov important"><time>February 20, 17:53</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/politics/diplomacy/20.02.2025-lithuanian-pm-gintautas-paluckas-pays-a-visit-to-latvia.a588655/">Lithuanian PM Gintautas Paluckas pays a visit to Latvia</a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-news-hov"><time>February 20, 15:17</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/politics/election/20.02.2025-election-authority-gets-new-automatic-ballot-scanners.a588612/">Election authority gets new automatic ballot scanners</a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-news-hov"><time>February 20, 14:58</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/politics/saeima/20.02.2025-russian-property-purchase-ban-moves-forward-in-latvia.a588590/">Russian property purchase ban moves forward in Latvia</a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-news-hov"><time>February 20, 13:39</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/politics/saeima/20.02.2025-saeima-advances-latvian-crisis-management-center-plan.a588596/">Saeima advances Latvian crisis management center plan</a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-news-hov"><time>February 20, 10:14</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/politics/politics/20.02.2025-national-alliance-woos-united-list-for-future-government-partnership.a588547/">National Alliance woos United List for future government partnership<i class="icon-play"></i></a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-news-hov"><time>February 20, 9:17</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/politics/president/20.02.2025-latvian-president-cautious-on-peacekeeper-possibility.a588544/">Latvian president cautious on peacekeeper possibility<i class="icon-play"></i></a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-news-hov"><time>February 18, 17:50</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/politics/diplomacy/18.02.2025-mission-to-moldova-approved-for-latvian-expert.a588320/">Mission to Moldova approved for Latvian expert</a></div></article> </div> <div class="tab-pane " id="news-278" role="tabpanel"> <article class="list-article brand-sports-hov"><time>Yesterday, 18:07</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/society/society/21.02.2025-latvian-project-makes-final-three-for-top-european-social-innovation-prize.a588819/">Latvian project makes final three for top European social innovation prize</a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-sports-hov"><time>Yesterday, 17:30</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/society/crime/21.02.2025-warning-issued-over-signal-app-attack-by-russian-hackers.a588814/">Warning issued over 'Signal' app attack by Russian hackers</a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-sports-hov"><time>Yesterday, 16:42</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/society/defense/21.02.2025-norway-officially-joins-drone-coalition-for-ukraine.a588806/">Norway officially joins Drone Coalition for Ukraine</a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-sports-hov"><time>Yesterday, 16:27</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/society/health/21.02.2025-latvian-radio-reports-on-e-cigarette-loophole-and-lobbyists.a588360/">Latvian Radio reports on e-cigarette loophole and lobbyists<i class="icon-play"></i></a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-sports-hov"><time>Yesterday, 10:43</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/society/environment/21.02.2025-latvian-nature-museum-wants-your-best-bird-photos.a588729/">Latvian nature museum wants your best bird photos</a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-sports-hov"><time>Yesterday, 9:39</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/society/defense/21.02.2025-jekabpils-national-guard-military-drills-this-weekend.a588722/">Jēkabpils National Guard military drills this weekend</a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-sports-hov"><time>Yesterday, 8:21</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/society/crime/21.02.2025-prosecutors-driver-caught-drunk-behind-the-wheel-in-liepaja-latvia.a588701/">Prosecutor's driver caught drunk behind the wheel<i class="icon-play"></i></a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-sports-hov"><time>Yesterday, 7:29</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/society/society/21.02.2025-another-aid-shipment-goes-from-latvia-to-ukraine.a588695/">Another aid shipment goes from Latvia to Ukraine<i class="icon-play"></i></a></div></article> </div> <div class="tab-pane " id="news-277" role="tabpanel"> <article class="list-article brand-culture-hov"><time>Yesterday, 9:51</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/culture/culture/21.02.2025-three-for-the-weekend-saxophone-folk-music-horses.a588720/">Three for the Weekend: Saxophone, Folk Music, Horses</a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-culture-hov"><time>Yesterday, 9:21</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/culture/sport/21.02.2025-football-team-from-livani-played-tournaments-in-belarus.a588716/">Football team from Līvāni played tournaments in Belarus<i class="icon-play"></i></a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-culture-hov"><time>February 20, 16:16</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/culture/culture/20.02.2025-dancing-mushrooms-not-a-problem-in-latvia.a588628/">Dancing mushrooms? Not a problem in Latvia<i class="icon-photo"></i></a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-culture-hov"><time>February 20, 12:45</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/culture/sport/20.02.2025-latvia-takes-on-spain-in-tempting-basketball-clash.a588589/">Latvia takes on Spain in tempting basketball clash<i class="icon-play"></i></a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-culture-hov"><time>February 20, 8:11</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/culture/art/20.02.2025-event-series-at-latvian-national-art-museum-for-ukraines-support.a588537/">Event series at Latvian National Art Museum for Ukraine's support<i class="icon-play"></i></a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-culture-hov"><time>February 19, 8:26</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/culture/music/19.02.2025-shayna-steele-kennedy-administration-will-provide-riga-rhythms-in-july.a588364/">Shayna Steele, Kennedy Administration will provide Riga Rhythms in July</a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-culture-hov"><time>February 18, 14:54</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/culture/art/18.02.2025-young-latvian-artist-recognised-in-japanese-drawing-contest.a588275/">Young Latvian artist recognised in Japanese drawing contest<i class="icon-play"></i></a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-culture-hov"><time>February 18, 8:14</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/culture/literature/18.02.2025-golden-apple-book-design-nominees-revealed.a588208/">Golden Apple book design nominees revealed</a></div></article> </div> <div class="tab-pane " id="news-276" role="tabpanel"> <article class="list-article brand-lifestyle-hov"><time>Yesterday, 18:20</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/economy/economy/21.02.2025-latvian-producer-prices-down-on-year-up-on-month-in-january.a588824/">Latvian producer prices down on year, up on month in January</a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-lifestyle-hov"><time>Yesterday, 13:46</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/economy/transport/21.02.2025-rail-baltica-board-will-wait-for-latvias-remaining-debts-until-april.a588763/">Rail Baltica board will wait for Latvia's remaining debts until April</a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-lifestyle-hov"><time>Yesterday, 13:26</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/economy/economy/21.02.2025-consumer-rights-body-finds-unfair-discount-practices-in-latvian-e-shops.a588759/">Consumer rights body finds unfair discount practices in Latvian e-shops</a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-lifestyle-hov"><time>Yesterday, 8:44</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/economy/transport/21.02.2025-airbaltic-starts-connecting-starlink-to-its-planes.a588708/">airBaltic starts connecting Starlink to its planes</a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-lifestyle-hov"><time>Yesterday, 7:16</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/economy/transport/21.02.2025-2024-saw-lowest-number-of-road-deaths-in-over-30-years-in-latvia.a588692/">2024 saw lowest number of road deaths in over 30 years in Latvia</a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-lifestyle-hov"><time>Yesterday, 7:07</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/economy/transport/21.02.2025-some-roads-slippery-in-latvia-friday-morning.a588690/">Some roads slippery in Latvia Friday morning</a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-lifestyle-hov"><time>February 20, 17:26</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/economy/business/20.02.2025-online-shopping-trend-still-growing-in-latvia.a588651/">Online shopping trend still growing in Latvia</a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-lifestyle-hov"><time>February 20, 10:57</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/economy/economy/20.02.2025-latvias-tax-service-promises-to-continue-work-against-shadow-economy.a588561/">Latvia's tax service promises to continue work against shadow economy<i class="icon-play"></i></a></div></article> </div> <div class="tab-pane " id="news-333" role="tabpanel"> <article class="list-article brand-analysis-hov"><time>February 20, 15:16</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/features/video/20.02.2025-mountaineering-movie-to-profile-baltic-climbing-legend-teodors-kirsis.a588560/">Mountaineering movie to profile Baltic climbing legend Teodors Ķirsis<i class="icon-play"></i></a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-analysis-hov"><time>February 20, 11:37</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/features/video/20.02.2025-midweek-selection-classic-concert-de-stressing-documentary.a588553/">Midweek selection: classic concert, de-stressing documentary<i class="icon-play"></i></a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-analysis-hov"><time>February 17, 16:20</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/features/commentary/17.02.2025-baltic-ma-market-should-be-set-to-grow-again-in-2025.a588091/">Baltic M&A market should be set to grow again in 2025</a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-analysis-hov"><time>February 11, 12:45</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/features/features/11.02.2025-interview-why-did-norse-atlantic-airways-pick-riga.a587305/">Interview: Why did Norse Atlantic Airways pick Rīga?</a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-analysis-hov"><time>February 11, 10:21</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/features/media/11.02.2025-daugavpils-media-outlet-hit-by-us-funding-freeze.a587290/">Daugavpils media outlet hit by U.S. funding freeze</a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-analysis-hov"><time>February 6, 10:38</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/features/media/06.02.2025-latvian-media-watchdog-official-elected.a586704/">Latvian media watchdog official elected</a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-analysis-hov"><time>February 4, 6:30</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/features/features/04.02.2025-how-many-ethnic-non-latvians-supported-latvias-independence.a585941/">How many ethnic non-Latvians supported Latvia’s Independence? </a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-analysis-hov"><time>February 3, 11:50</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/features/commentary/03.02.2025-deepseeks-popularity-and-cybersecurity-challenges-what-can-we-learn.a586255/">DeepSeek's popularity and cybersecurity challenges – what can we learn?</a></div></article> </div> <div class="tab-pane " id="news-318" role="tabpanel"> <article class="list-article brand-weather-hov"><time>Yesterday, 9:21</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/weather/weather/21.02.2025-spring-will-begin-in-latvia-next-week.a588719/">Spring will begin in Latvia next week</a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-weather-hov"><time>February 17, 8:32</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/weather/weather/17.02.2025-winter-will-persist-this-week-in-latvia.a588060/">Winter will persist this week in Latvia</a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-weather-hov"><time>February 14, 9:08</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/weather/weather/14.02.2025-cold-weekend-with-some-snow-ahead-in-latvia.a587790/">Cold weekend with some snow ahead in Latvia</a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-weather-hov"><time>February 12, 16:13</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/weather/weather/12.02.2025-some-latvians-miss-real-winter-others-do-not.a587486/">Some Latvians miss 'real' winter, others do not</a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-weather-hov"><time>February 12, 8:52</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/weather/weather/12.02.2025-some-snow-expected-over-weekend-in-latvia.a587438/">Some snow expected over weekend in Latvia</a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-weather-hov"><time>February 10, 9:47</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/weather/weather/10.02.2025-coldest-time-of-season-begins-in-latvia.a587133/">Coldest time of season begins in Latvia</a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-weather-hov"><time>February 7, 9:18</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/weather/weather/07.02.2025-cool-dry-weather-to-persist-in-latvia.a586857/">Cool, dry weather to persist in Latvia</a></div></article><article class="list-article brand-weather-hov"><time>February 6, 8:28</time><div><a target="_self" href="/article/weather/weather/06.02.2025-will-latvia-ever-see-30-c-again.a586665/">Will Latvia ever see -30 C again?</a></div></article> </div> </div> <p class="more"> <a href="/archive/">More</a> </p> <script> LSM.events.bind('PageReady', function () { var $latestNewsDropdown = $('#latest-news-dropdown'); $latestNewsDropdown.find('.dropdown-item').click(function () { $latestNewsDropdown.find('.dropdown-toggle span').text($(this).text()); $latestNewsDropdown.find('.dropdown-toggle i').attr('class', $(this).find('i').attr('class')); }); }); </script> </div><div class="block pb-last-article-0"> <div class="module-heading "> <span role="heading" aria-level="1">Most important</span> </div><article class="thumbnail brand-news-hov compact-wide wide compact-wide-3by4"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/politics/politics/21.02.2025-pm-silina-asks-three-ministers-to-resign.a588794/"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2025/02/thumbnail/1/ptek.jpg" alt="PM Siliņa asks three ministers to resign"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"></div></figure><figcaption class="brand-news-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/politics/politics/21.02.2025-pm-silina-asks-three-ministers-to-resign.a588794/"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">PM Siliņa asks three ministers to resign</span></a><div class="thumbnail__icons"><time>Yesterday, 16:03</time></div></figcaption></article><article class="thumbnail brand-culture-hov compact-wide wide compact-wide-3by4"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/culture/culture/21.02.2025-three-for-the-weekend-saxophone-folk-music-horses.a588720/"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2025/02/thumbnail/1/pq7z.jpg" alt="Three for the Weekend: Saxophone, Folk Music, Horses"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"></div></figure><figcaption class="brand-culture-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/culture/culture/21.02.2025-three-for-the-weekend-saxophone-folk-music-horses.a588720/"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">Three for the Weekend: Saxophone, Folk Music, Horses</span></a><div class="thumbnail__icons"><time>Yesterday, 9:51</time></div></figcaption></article><article class="thumbnail brand-sports-hov compact-wide wide compact-wide-3by4"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/society/society/21.02.2025-latvian-project-makes-final-three-for-top-european-social-innovation-prize.a588819/"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2025/02/thumbnail/1/ptgt.png" alt="Latvian project makes final three for top European social innovation prize"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"></div></figure><figcaption class="brand-sports-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/society/society/21.02.2025-latvian-project-makes-final-three-for-top-european-social-innovation-prize.a588819/"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">Latvian project makes final three for top European social innovation prize</span></a><div class="thumbnail__icons"><time>Yesterday, 18:07</time></div></figcaption></article><article class="thumbnail brand-sports-hov compact-wide wide compact-wide-3by4"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/society/defense/21.02.2025-norway-officially-joins-drone-coalition-for-ukraine.a588806/"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2025/02/thumbnail/1/pr7g.jpg" alt="Norway officially joins Drone Coalition for Ukraine"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"></div></figure><figcaption class="brand-sports-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/society/defense/21.02.2025-norway-officially-joins-drone-coalition-for-ukraine.a588806/"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">Norway officially joins Drone Coalition for Ukraine</span></a><div class="thumbnail__icons"><time>Yesterday, 16:42</time></div></figcaption></article><article class="thumbnail brand-lifestyle-hov compact-wide wide compact-wide-3by4"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/economy/transport/21.02.2025-rail-baltica-board-will-wait-for-latvias-remaining-debts-until-april.a588763/"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2025/02/thumbnail/1/ptbr.jpg" alt="Rail Baltica board will wait for Latvia's remaining debts until April"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"></div></figure><figcaption class="brand-lifestyle-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/economy/transport/21.02.2025-rail-baltica-board-will-wait-for-latvias-remaining-debts-until-april.a588763/"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">Rail Baltica board will wait for Latvia's remaining debts until April</span></a><div class="thumbnail__icons"><time>Yesterday, 13:46</time></div></figcaption></article><article class="thumbnail brand-sports-hov compact-wide wide compact-wide-3by4"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/society/defense/21.02.2025-jekabpils-national-guard-military-drills-this-weekend.a588722/"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2025/02/thumbnail/1/pt9f.jpg" alt="Jēkabpils National Guard military drills this weekend"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"></div></figure><figcaption class="brand-sports-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/society/defense/21.02.2025-jekabpils-national-guard-military-drills-this-weekend.a588722/"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">Jēkabpils National Guard military drills this weekend</span></a><div class="thumbnail__icons"><time>Yesterday, 9:39</time></div></figcaption></article><article class="thumbnail brand-sports-hov compact-wide wide compact-wide-3by4"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/society/society/21.02.2025-another-aid-shipment-goes-from-latvia-to-ukraine.a588695/"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2025/02/thumbnail/1/pt4m.jpg" alt="Another aid shipment goes from Latvia to Ukraine"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"><span class="thumbnail__channel ltv1"><span class="channel-logo channel-logo--ltv1 bw"></span></span></div></figure><figcaption class="brand-sports-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/society/society/21.02.2025-another-aid-shipment-goes-from-latvia-to-ukraine.a588695/"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">Another aid shipment goes from Latvia to Ukraine</span><i class="icon-play" role="presentation"></i></a><div class="thumbnail__icons"><time>Yesterday, 7:29</time></div></figcaption></article><article class="thumbnail brand-lifestyle-hov compact-wide wide compact-wide-3by4"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/economy/transport/21.02.2025-some-roads-slippery-in-latvia-friday-morning.a588690/"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2025/01/thumbnail/1/pgfg.jpg" alt="Some roads slippery in Latvia Friday morning"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"></div></figure><figcaption class="brand-lifestyle-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/economy/transport/21.02.2025-some-roads-slippery-in-latvia-friday-morning.a588690/"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">Some roads slippery in Latvia Friday morning</span></a><div class="thumbnail__icons"><time>Yesterday, 7:07</time></div></figcaption></article><article class="thumbnail brand-lifestyle-hov compact-wide wide compact-wide-3by4"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/economy/transport/21.02.2025-2024-saw-lowest-number-of-road-deaths-in-over-30-years-in-latvia.a588692/"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2024/04/thumbnail/1/nf0d.png" alt="2024 saw lowest number of road deaths in over 30 years in Latvia"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"></div></figure><figcaption class="brand-lifestyle-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/economy/transport/21.02.2025-2024-saw-lowest-number-of-road-deaths-in-over-30-years-in-latvia.a588692/"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">2024 saw lowest number of road deaths in over 30 years in Latvia</span></a><div class="thumbnail__icons"><time>Yesterday, 7:16</time></div></figcaption></article><article class="thumbnail brand-sports-hov compact-wide wide compact-wide-3by4"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/society/defense/20.02.2025-oak-resolve-military-drills-start-friday-in-latvia.a588653/"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2025/02/thumbnail/1/psfc.jpg" alt="'Oak Resolve' military drills start Friday in Latvia"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"></div></figure><figcaption class="brand-sports-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/society/defense/20.02.2025-oak-resolve-military-drills-start-friday-in-latvia.a588653/"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">'Oak Resolve' military drills start Friday in Latvia</span></a><div class="thumbnail__icons"><time>February 20, 20:08</time></div></figcaption></article><article class="thumbnail brand-news-hov compact-wide wide compact-wide-3by4"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/politics/diplomacy/20.02.2025-lithuanian-pm-gintautas-paluckas-pays-a-visit-to-latvia.a588655/"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2025/02/thumbnail/1/pt5u.jpg" alt="Lithuanian PM Gintautas Paluckas pays a visit to Latvia"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"></div></figure><figcaption class="brand-news-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/politics/diplomacy/20.02.2025-lithuanian-pm-gintautas-paluckas-pays-a-visit-to-latvia.a588655/"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">Lithuanian PM Gintautas Paluckas pays a visit to Latvia</span></a><div class="thumbnail__icons"><time>February 20, 17:53</time></div></figcaption></article></div><div class="block"> <div class="module-heading "> <span role="heading" aria-level="1">Most read</span> </div><div class="block numbered-list mb-0"> <article class="thumbnail brand-lifestyle-hov compact-wide wide compact-wide-3by4"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/economy/transport/21.02.2025-2024-saw-lowest-number-of-road-deaths-in-over-30-years-in-latvia.a588692/"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2024/04/thumbnail/1/nf0d.png" alt="2024 saw lowest number of road deaths in over 30 years in Latvia"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"></div><span class="thumbnail__number">1.</span></figure><figcaption class="brand-lifestyle-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/economy/transport/21.02.2025-2024-saw-lowest-number-of-road-deaths-in-over-30-years-in-latvia.a588692/"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">2024 saw lowest number of road deaths in over 30 years in Latvia</span></a></figcaption></article><article class="thumbnail brand-news-hov compact-wide wide compact-wide-3by4"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/politics/politics/21.02.2025-pm-silina-asks-three-ministers-to-resign.a588794/"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2025/02/thumbnail/1/ptek.jpg" alt="PM Siliņa asks three ministers to resign"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"></div><span class="thumbnail__number">2.</span></figure><figcaption class="brand-news-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/politics/politics/21.02.2025-pm-silina-asks-three-ministers-to-resign.a588794/"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">PM Siliņa asks three ministers to resign</span></a></figcaption></article><article class="thumbnail brand-sports-hov compact-wide wide compact-wide-3by4"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/society/society/19.02.2025-name-change-trend-observed-in-latvia-after-russian-invasion-of-ukraine.a588414/"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2024/01/thumbnail/1/mt9v.jpg" alt="Name change trend observed in Latvia after Russian invasion of Ukraine"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"></div><span class="thumbnail__number">3.</span></figure><figcaption class="brand-sports-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/society/society/19.02.2025-name-change-trend-observed-in-latvia-after-russian-invasion-of-ukraine.a588414/"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">Name change trend observed in Latvia after Russian invasion of Ukraine</span></a></figcaption></article><article class="thumbnail brand-lifestyle-hov compact-wide wide compact-wide-3by4"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/economy/transport/21.02.2025-airbaltic-starts-connecting-starlink-to-its-planes.a588708/"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2025/01/thumbnail/1/pnf5.jpg" alt="airBaltic starts connecting Starlink to its planes"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"></div><span class="thumbnail__number">4.</span></figure><figcaption class="brand-lifestyle-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/economy/transport/21.02.2025-airbaltic-starts-connecting-starlink-to-its-planes.a588708/"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">airBaltic starts connecting Starlink to its planes</span></a></figcaption></article><article class="thumbnail brand-sports-hov compact-wide wide compact-wide-3by4"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/society/defense/20.02.2025-latvias-defense-has-developed-rapidly-since-beginning-of-war.a588539/"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2023/10/thumbnail/1/m5v3.jpg" alt="Latvia's defense has developed rapidly since beginning of war"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"></div><span class="thumbnail__number">5.</span></figure><figcaption class="brand-sports-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/society/defense/20.02.2025-latvias-defense-has-developed-rapidly-since-beginning-of-war.a588539/"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">Latvia's defense has developed rapidly since beginning of war</span></a></figcaption></article><article class="thumbnail brand-weather-hov compact-wide wide compact-wide-3by4"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/weather/weather/21.02.2025-spring-will-begin-in-latvia-next-week.a588719/"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2024/12/thumbnail/1/pdsh.jpg" alt="Spring will begin in Latvia next week"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"></div><span class="thumbnail__number">6.</span></figure><figcaption class="brand-weather-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/weather/weather/21.02.2025-spring-will-begin-in-latvia-next-week.a588719/"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">Spring will begin in Latvia next week</span></a></figcaption></article><article class="thumbnail brand-sports-hov compact-wide wide compact-wide-3by4"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/society/defense/21.02.2025-norway-officially-joins-drone-coalition-for-ukraine.a588806/"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2025/02/thumbnail/1/pr7g.jpg" alt="Norway officially joins Drone Coalition for Ukraine"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"></div><span class="thumbnail__number">7.</span></figure><figcaption class="brand-sports-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/society/defense/21.02.2025-norway-officially-joins-drone-coalition-for-ukraine.a588806/"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">Norway officially joins Drone Coalition for Ukraine</span></a></figcaption></article><article class="thumbnail brand-sports-hov compact-wide wide compact-wide-3by4"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/society/society/21.02.2025-another-aid-shipment-goes-from-latvia-to-ukraine.a588695/"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2025/02/thumbnail/1/pt4m.jpg" alt="Another aid shipment goes from Latvia to Ukraine"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"></div><span class="thumbnail__number">8.</span></figure><figcaption class="brand-sports-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/society/society/21.02.2025-another-aid-shipment-goes-from-latvia-to-ukraine.a588695/"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">Another aid shipment goes from Latvia to Ukraine</span><i class="icon-play" role="presentation"></i></a></figcaption></article><article class="thumbnail brand-lifestyle-hov compact-wide wide compact-wide-3by4"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/economy/transport/21.02.2025-rail-baltica-board-will-wait-for-latvias-remaining-debts-until-april.a588763/"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2025/02/thumbnail/1/ptbr.jpg" alt="Rail Baltica board will wait for Latvia's remaining debts until April"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"></div><span class="thumbnail__number">9.</span></figure><figcaption class="brand-lifestyle-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/economy/transport/21.02.2025-rail-baltica-board-will-wait-for-latvias-remaining-debts-until-april.a588763/"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">Rail Baltica board will wait for Latvia's remaining debts until April</span></a></figcaption></article><article class="thumbnail brand-culture-hov compact-wide wide compact-wide-3by4"><figure><a class="thumbnail__image lazy" href="/article/culture/culture/21.02.2025-three-for-the-weekend-saxophone-folk-music-horses.a588720/"> <img class="lazy" data-src="https://static.lsm.lv/media/2025/02/thumbnail/1/pq7z.jpg" alt="Three for the Weekend: Saxophone, Folk Music, Horses"> </a><div class="thumbnail__details" role="presentation"></div><span class="thumbnail__number">10.</span></figure><figcaption class="brand-culture-br"><a class="thumbnail__caption" href="/article/culture/culture/21.02.2025-three-for-the-weekend-saxophone-folk-music-horses.a588720/"><span class="thumbnail__caption_text">Three for the Weekend: Saxophone, Folk Music, Horses</span></a></figcaption></article></div> <p class="more"><a href="">More</a></p></div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="block"> <section class="block html"><head><script>(function (j, c) {var s = function (o) {var t = document.createElement('script');for (var p in o) {t[p] = o[p];};return t;};var p = s({src: j, defer: true, async: true, onload: c});var i = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];i.parentNode.insertBefore(p, i);})('https://lsm.overlay.ebu-uer.be/news-overlay-lsm.js', ScriptLoaded);function ScriptLoaded() {NewsOverlay();}</script></head></section> </section> </main> <footer class="pagefooter"> <div class="container"> <div class="pagefooter__content"> <p class="pagefooter__copyright"> © 2025, Use of any material either in part or in full is allowed only with the written permission of LSM.lv. <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="640a011317240817094a0812">[email protected]</a> </p> <nav class="pagefooter__nav"> <a class="nav-item" target="_self" href="/feeds/">RSS</a><a class="nav-item" target="_self" href="/privacy-policy/">Privacy policy</a><a class="nav-item" target="_self" href="/about-us/">About us</a><a class="nav-item" target="_self" href="/contact-us/">Contact us</a> </nav> </div> </div> </footer> <script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script><script> LSM.str = {"more":"More","cancel":"Cancel","submit":"Apstiprin\u0101t","quiz_show_result":"Show result","address_copied_clipboard":"Link copied","report_success":"Thank you. We have received your error notification","report_error":"Notikusi k\u013c\u016bda iesniedzot zi\u0146ojumu, l\u016bdzu m\u0113\u0123iniet v\u0113lreiz.","report_error_length":"L\u016bdzu, atz\u012bm\u0113jiet 5-100 simbolus!","copy_clipboard":"Kop\u0113t starpliktuv\u0113","clear_date_filter":"No\u0146emt datuma filtru","share_caption":"Dal\u012bties","title":"Choose which content is of interest and we will let you know when there is something new.","subscribe":"Sign up","close":"Close","processing":"Datu apstr\u0101de","loading":"Datu iel\u0101de","select_theme":"Sa\u0146em jaunumus par \u0161o t\u0113mu pirmais!","selected_theme":"Turpm\u0101k sa\u0146emsi pazi\u0146ojumus par \u0161o t\u0113mu p\u0101rl\u016bk\u0101.","select_themes":"Get notified about these topics","close_themes":"Aizv\u0113rt t\u0113mu izv\u0113lni","themes":"J\u016bsu izv\u0113l\u0113t\u0101s t\u0113mas, kur\u0101m sa\u0146emat jaun\u0101kos pazi\u0146ojumus","instruction_title_lv":"J\u016bs esat blo\u0137\u0113jis pazi\u0146ojumus no www.lsm.lv","instruction_title_en":"You blocked notification from eng.lsm.lv","instruction_title_ru":"\u0412\u044b \u0437\u0430\u0431\u043b\u043e\u043a\u0438\u0440\u043e\u0432\u0430\u043b\u0438 \u0441\u043e\u043e\u0431\u0449\u0435\u043d\u0438\u044f \u043e\u0442 rus.lsm.lv","instruction_title_uk":"\u0412\u0438 \u0437\u0430\u0431\u043b\u043e\u043a\u0443\u0432\u0430\u043b\u0438 \u043f\u043e\u0432\u0456\u0434\u043e\u043c\u043b\u0435\u043d\u043d\u044f \u0437 ukr.lsm.lv","instruction_title_be":"\u0412\u044b \u0437\u0430\u0431\u043b\u0430\u043a\u0430\u0432\u0430\u043b\u0456 \u043f\u0430\u0432\u0435\u0434\u0430\u043c\u043b\u0435\u043d\u043d\u0456 \u0430\u0434 bel.lsm.lv","instruction_title_pl":"Zablokowa\u0142e\u015b powiadomienia z pol.lsm.lv","instruction_desc_lv":"Lai at\u013cautu pazi\u0146ojumus, veiciet t\u0101l\u0101k nor\u0101d\u012bt\u0101s darb\u012bbas:","instruction_desc_en":"Follow the instructions to unblock notification:","instruction_desc_ru":"\u0414\u043b\u044f \u0440\u0430\u0437\u0431\u043b\u043e\u043a\u0438\u0440\u043e\u0432\u043a\u0438 \u0441\u043e\u043e\u0431\u0449\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0439 \u0441\u043b\u0435\u0434\u0443\u0439\u0442\u0435 \u0438\u043d\u0441\u0442\u0440\u0443\u043a\u0446\u0438\u0438:","instruction_desc_uk":"\u0429\u043e\u0431 \u0440\u043e\u0437\u0431\u043b\u043e\u043a\u0443\u0432\u0430\u0442\u0438 \u043f\u043e\u0432\u0456\u0434\u043e\u043c\u043b\u0435\u043d\u043d\u044f, \u0432\u0438\u043a\u043e\u043d\u0430\u0439\u0442\u0435 \u0432\u043a\u0430\u0437\u0456\u0432\u043a\u0438:","instruction_desc_be":"\u0414\u043b\u044f \u0440\u0430\u0437\u0431\u043b\u0430\u043a\u0456\u0440\u043e\u045e\u043a\u0456 \u043f\u0430\u0432\u0435\u0434\u0430\u043c\u043b\u0435\u043d\u043d\u044f\u045e \u043f\u0440\u044b\u0442\u0440\u044b\u043c\u043b\u0456\u0432\u0430\u0439\u0446\u0435\u0441\u044f \u0456\u043d\u0441\u0442\u0440\u0443\u043a\u0446\u044b\u0456:","instruction_desc_pl":"Aby odblokowa\u0107 powiadomienia, post\u0119puj zgodnie z instrukcjami:","instruction_for_unknown_browser_lv":"Lai sa\u0146emtu zi\u0146ojumus no lsm.lv at\u013caujiet pazi\u0146ojumus j\u016bsu p\u0101rl\u016bkprogrammas iestat\u012bjumos.","instruction_for_unknown_browser_en":"To receive messages from lsm.lv allow notifications in your browser settings.","instruction_for_unknown_browser_ru":"\u0414\u043b\u044f \u043f\u043e\u043b\u0443\u0447\u0435\u043d\u0438\u044f \u0441\u043e\u043e\u0431\u0449\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0439 \u043e\u0442 lsm.lv, \u0440\u0430\u0437\u0440\u0435\u0448\u0438\u0442\u0435 \u0443\u0432\u0435\u0434\u043e\u043c\u043b\u0435\u043d\u0438\u044f \u0432 \u043d\u0430\u0441\u0442\u0440\u043e\u0439\u043a\u0430\u0445 \u0432\u0430\u0448\u0435\u0433\u043e \u0431\u0440\u0430\u0443\u0437\u0435\u0440\u0430.","instruction_for_unknown_browser_uk":"\u0414\u043b\u044f \u043e\u0442\u0440\u0438\u043c\u0430\u043d\u043d\u044f \u043f\u043e\u0432\u0456\u0434\u043e\u043c\u043b\u0435\u043d\u044c \u0432\u0456\u0434 lsm.lv, \u0434\u043e\u0437\u0432\u043e\u043b\u044c\u0442\u0435 \u043f\u043e\u0432\u0456\u0434\u043e\u043c\u043b\u0435\u043d\u043d\u044f \u0443 \u043d\u0430\u043b\u0430\u0448\u0442\u0443\u0432\u0430\u043d\u043d\u044f\u0445 \u0432\u0430\u0448\u043e\u0433\u043e \u0431\u0440\u0430\u0443\u0437\u0435\u0440\u0430.","instruction_for_unknown_browser_be":"\u0414\u043b\u044f \u0430\u0442\u0440\u044b\u043c\u0430\u043d\u043d\u044f \u043f\u0430\u0432\u0435\u0434\u0430\u043c\u043b\u0435\u043d\u043d\u044f\u045e \u0430\u0434 lsm.lv, \u0434\u0430\u0437\u0432\u043e\u043b\u044c\u0446\u0435 \u0430\u043f\u0430\u0432\u044f\u0448\u0447\u044d\u043d\u043d\u044f \u045e \u043d\u0430\u043b\u0430\u0434\u0430\u0445 \u0432\u0430\u0448\u0430\u0433\u0430 \u0431\u0440\u0430\u045e\u0437\u044d\u0440\u0430.","instruction_for_unknown_browser_pl":"Aby otrzymywa\u0107 wiadomo\u015bci od lsm.lv zezw\u00f3l na powiadomienia w ustawieniach swojej przegl\u0105darki.","do_not_want_to_receive_emails":"Nev\u0113los sa\u0146emt e-pastus","lets_subscribe":"Parakst\u012bties uz Re! LSM pasts!","once_a_week":"\u0160o v\u0113stkopu m\u0113s izs\u016bt\u012bsim aptuveni reizi ned\u0113\u013c\u0101 ar iesp\u0113ju jebkur\u0101 br\u012bd\u012b no t\u0101s atteikties","confirm":"Apstiprin\u0101t","subscribtion_form_submit_title":"subscribtion_form_submit_title","you_did_it":"Tev izdev\u0101s parakst\u012bties uz LSM pastu!","to_make_sure":"Lai p\u0101rliecin\u0101tos, ka pats pie\u0146\u0113mi l\u0113mumu par parakst\u012b\u0161anos uz \u0161o lielisko v\u0113stkopu, to ne piecie\u0161ams apstiprin\u0101t e-past\u0101.","email":"E-pasts..."}; </script> <script src="/scripts/src/plugins.js?v=15406494"></script> <script src="/scripts/src/main.js?v=af49134b"></script> <script src="/scripts/app.js?v=396a487f"></script> <script> LSM.events.send('PageComplete'); </script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Latvia's defense has developed rapidly since beginning of war / Article