Preparations for war ongoing among Latvians: current updates
Latvia, a small Baltic nation, is playing an active role in the ongoing Ukraine conflict, providing substantial military support and strengthening its own defense posture.
In a significant move, Latvia is supplying Ukraine with a large volume of military equipment. This includes a planned delivery of 12,000 locally produced drones by the end of 2025, with 1,300 drones recently shipped as part of a multinational drone coalition co-led by Latvia itself. Furthermore, Latvia has delivered 42 Patria 6x6 armored personnel carriers to Ukraine in 2025, valued at around €70 million.
The Latvian government has also signaled its intent to facilitate the delivery of US-made Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, in response to increasing Russian missile and drone attacks.
This military aid is not without consequence for Latvia. The nation is intensifying its own military readiness and capabilities. This is evident in the multiple international military exercises with NATO allies that Latvia is hosting, involving over 500 foreign troops in large drills like "Namejs 2025," "FOREST GUARDIAN," and "AUSTERE SHIELD." These exercises focus on comprehensive national defense, hybrid warfare, and engineering capabilities.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine is influencing Latvia's domestic defense policies and readiness. Latvia's defense policy adapts to the situation by balancing substantial military export support with increasing national combat readiness via enhanced training and alliance collaboration. This dual approach underscores Latvia’s commitment to regional security and defense cooperation amid the ongoing war.
Meanwhile, concerns about a lack of patriotism for economic development have been raised by Professor Denis Scheulovs of the Technical University. However, the Latvian government is taking steps to ensure hospitals can function effectively during wartime. Defense Minister Andris Sprouds has visited two major local hospitals in Latvia, and a backup operating unit is being prepared. The military is also discussing with hospital heads how to use hospital basements in case of war, and hospitals are being prepared to handle war-related injuries and casualties.
One Latvian, Uldis Volmars, is a volunteer drone operator in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. He lost his legs while fighting in the International Legion of Ukraine in 2022. The Technical University, a key partner in drone development for the Latvian military, has been regularly training Ukrainian servicemen since the large-scale invasion of Russia in 2022.
In summary, Latvia’s engagement in the Ukraine conflict through extensive military aid—drones, armored vehicles, and supporting allied air defense systems—goes hand in hand with the strengthening of its own defense posture via international exercises and national readiness reforms. This dual approach highlights Latvia’s commitment to regional security and defense cooperation amid the ongoing war.
In the realm of health-and-wellness, the Latvian government is taking steps to ensure hospitals can function effectively during wartime, with Defense Minister Andris Sprouds visiting two major local hospitals and a backup operating unit being prepared.
Despite its active role in war-and-conflicts, such as supplying Ukraine with military equipment, Latvia's politics also focus on general-news matters, with Professor Denis Scheulovs raising concerns about a lack of patriotism for economic development.
