WARSAW, Poland (AP) 鈥 They might look like lost tourists 鈥 unkempt and overloaded with gear 鈥 or hikers with military haircuts, survival gear and no clue how to behave in the woods.
But Latvia鈥檚 intelligence agency said Wednesday that they might actually be .
In its annual report, Latvia鈥檚 Defence Intelligence and Security Service, known by Latvian acronym MIDD, offered advice on how to identify possible reconnaissance and sabotage operatives.
It’s an increasingly relevant concern given regional tensions and a and other acts of sabotage, which 鈥 allegations that Moscow has repeatedly denied.
The list of telltale signs is striking: slovenly appearance, mismatched military or sportswear, and a knack for asking locals suspicious questions. According to the security service, such groups may linger near military or critical infrastructure sites, pose as humanitarian workers or stay in remote areas without showing any interest in nature.
Some may carry specialized medical kits, maps or radios 鈥 items better suited for clandestine operations than camping trips.
The Latvian guidance comes as countries across the region, including new and Finland, have been issuing booklets with advice on or a natural disaster.
is now preparing its guidelines, while Norway recently published a book with advice on how to survive for one week.
鈥淲e live in an increasingly turbulent world,鈥 it says. 鈥淓ven though in Norway most things generally function as they normally would, we must remain aware that extreme weather, pandemics, accidents, sabotage 鈥 and in the worst case acts of war 鈥 can impact us.鈥
MIDD, one of Latvia鈥檚 three security services, alongside the State Security Service and the Constitution Protection Bureau, warned that Russian saboteurs might also attempt to incite unrest or assassinate 鈥渟ocially significant individuals.鈥
Their activities might also be focused on 鈥渟tudying the position of the target country鈥檚 society and inciting unrest directed against the existing government.鈥
The agency cautioned that appearances can deceive.
鈥淭he Ukrainian experience shows that Russian special services are able to adapt,鈥 the report says. Not all spies will fit the mold, and suspicions must be judged in context.
It also warns that if a sabotage group is spotted, leave the James Bond heroics to the professionals.
鈥淚f you do think you might have spotted a sabotage group on Latvian soil, MIDD does not recommend tackling them yourself,” it said. “Instead report your suspicions to the State Police, special services, or the nearest armed forces unit.鈥
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Emma Burrows contributed to this report from Tallinn, Estonia.
