[Latvian Defense Intelligence and Security Bureau Releases Guide to Identifying Russian Spies]

On May 15, The Baltic Sentinel reported that the Latvian Defense Intelligence and Security Bureau (MIDD) pointed out in its annual report that the tasks of Russian spies and sabotage teams include monitoring key infrastructure and military facilities, carrying out sabotage activities, eliminating important social figures, studying the social conditions of the target country, and inciting anti-government riots.

**Description of Russian Agents' Characteristics**

MIDD summarizes the potential characteristics of Russian agents as follows:

-- Wearing paramilitary/sport/outdoor clothing and equipped with professional gear (backpacks, tactical harnesses, specialized medical kits).

-- Uniform elements, short hairstyles, unkempt appearance, poor hygiene, robust physique.

-- Carrying "hostile" country passports (may hold multiple passports) or foreign currency.

**Behavioral Patterns**

1. Special Equipment: Often carry survival supplies or special tools (radio equipment, maps, navigators, weapons, etc.).

2. Unusual Accommodation: Choosing remote areas near forests/water bodies, living in abandoned buildings or clearings in the woods, even if their attire and leisure activities do not match.

3. Suspicious Behavior:

-- Lacking a sense of direction but moving and observing in a military manner.

-- Inquiring about residents' political inclinations or inciting riots.

-- Only one member speaks the target country's language and is unfamiliar with local dialects.

-- Buying large amounts of durable foodstuffs.

-- May impersonate members of international organizations such as the United Nations or the Red Cross.

4. Specific Activities:

-- Showing abnormal interest in critical infrastructure, law enforcement agencies, and the military.

-- Attempting to enter restricted areas or conduct surveillance.

**Case Warnings**

The report emphasizes that Ukraine's experience shows that Russian agents have strong environmental adaptability, and their appearances may completely contradict traditional spy characteristics. Several related incidents have occurred in the Baltic Sea region in recent years:

-- February 2024: Two suspects were sentenced for setting fire to the "Occupation Museum" in Riga (a symbol of Soviet rule).

-- August 2023: A Latvian citizen was arrested for collecting intelligence for Russia, involving the organization "Baltic Anti-Fascist".

-- December 2023: A Russian citizen was arrested for gathering military facility intelligence in Latvia.

**Incidents in Multiple Countries**

-- Estonia: At the beginning of 2024, ten suspects involved in Russian agent-led intimidation actions were arrested; victims included the Minister of Internal Affairs (whose vehicle was smashed).

-- Lithuania: A plot to set fire to aid to Ukraine was thwarted; the arson at the IKEA warehouse in Vilnius on May 2024 was classified as a terrorist attack planned by the GRU of the Russian military intelligence department, with two Ukrainian citizens (including a minor) charged with receiving a payment of 10,000 euros plus a BMW car for committing the crime.

-- Poland: An investigation confirmed that the arson case at the Marywilska shopping mall in Warsaw in May 2024 was carried out by Russian intelligence departments through Telegram recruitment.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1832446471297036/

Disclaimer: This article solely represents the author's personal views.