World · Europe · 1 hr ago
Masked group claims Latvia border raid as Lukashenko denies Belarus role
Armed, masked men crossed from Belarus into Latvia and threatened Latvian soldiers while accompanying a group of migrants.
They damaged electrical equipment, stole surveillance cameras and later returned to Belarus.
A group calling itself Black Rus claimed responsibility in a video and threatened further incursions along the border.
Experts quoted by Latvian media said the group could be linked to Russian or Belarusian intelligence, but those claims have not been proven.
Lukashenko denied Belarus was involved and said Latvia staged the incident to seek European Union funding.
Latvia has opened a criminal investigation into a group suspected of planning serious acts against peace and national security.
Masked men accompanying migrants crossed from Belarus into Latvia overnight on October 6, damaged electrical equipment and stole surveillance cameras before returning to Belarus.
A group calling itself Black Rus later claimed responsibility for the incident in a video.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko denied Belarusian involvement and accused Latvia of staging the incident to obtain EU funding.
Experts cited by Latvian media said Black Rus could be linked to Russian and Belarusian intelligence services, while Latvia’s interior minister said there was no evidence yet.
Latvia’s state security service opened proceedings into the creation of a criminal organization aimed at grave acts against peace and national security.
- Who
- Armed, masked men accompanying migrants, with responsibility later claimed by a group calling itself Black Rus.
- What
- The men crossed into Latvia, threatened soldiers, damaged electrical equipment and stole surveillance cameras before returning to Belarus.
- When
- Overnight on October 6; Black Rus released a video claiming responsibility the following Wednesday, according to The Moscow Times.
- Where
- The Latvia-Belarus border.
- Why
- Not stated. Lukashenko said Latvia staged the incident to secure EU funding; experts suggested Black Rus could be linked to Russian and Belarusian intelligence services.
Latvia and intelligence-operation experts
Alexander Lukashenko and Belarus
Responsibility
Latvia and intelligence-operation experts
Experts said Black Rus could be a project or front linked to Russian and Belarusian intelligence services.
Alexander Lukashenko and Belarus
Lukashenko denied Belarusian involvement and said Latvia staged the incident.
Motive
Latvia and intelligence-operation experts
Latvian officials and experts raised the possibility of intelligence-linked activity, though Latvia’s interior minister said there was no evidence yet.
Alexander Lukashenko and Belarus
Lukashenko said Latvia staged the incident to obtain money from the European Union.
Armed, masked men crossed from Belarus into Latvia, damaged equipment and stole surveillance cameras before returning to Belarus.
Black Rus released a video claiming responsibility for the raid, according to The Moscow Times.
LSM reported that a video statement on Black Rus’s behalf had been posted on Telegram.
- Incident date
- Overnight on October 6
- Group
- Black Rus (Chyornye Rusy)
- Migrants
- The Moscow Times reported that 20 irregular migrants were involved.
- Damage
- Electrical equipment was damaged and surveillance cameras were stolen.
- Latvian response
- The state security service launched proceedings into the creation of a criminal organization.
What people are saying
This was just a test, and Latvia failed it. Soon you’ll see something similar elsewhere along our border. The European Union and NATO are a colossus with feet of clay that will collapse after our first strike.
We have absolutely nothing to do with this
These types of groups cannot exist in Belarus and Russia independently
If necessary, the group can be blamed for certain events, border sabotage and so on
Sources
Related news
Ukraine says allies gave no warning before Russian missiles hit Kyiv
Russia detains Japanese journalist on suspicion of espionage
MI5 chief says Iran is seeking to target UK military sites
Trump defends Russian diesel deal as critics warn it could fund war
German police investigate alleged robot sexual assault in Cologne
Ukrainian drone strikes disrupt three Yandex data centers
Break-in at Offenbach workshop causes about €15,000 in damage
Armed robbery leaves Villarreal goalkeeper Gulácsi out against Napoli
Actor Francis Renaud held in custody over rape, harassment and violence allegations
MI5 chief warns of threats from Russia, Iran and AI
EU expands membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova
