Susanna Riva An episode of violence occurred along the border between Belarus and Latvia, where masked individuals attempted to force approximately twenty irregular migrants to cross the border. During the attack, they damaged a power plant, stole surveillance cameras, and, after causing havoc, returned to Belarusian territory.
Lukashenko rejects accusations of involvement
During a state of readiness meeting, President Alexander Lukashenko declared that Belarus had no role in the incident, calling it an ideological pretext orchestrated by Prague to access European Union funds. "We have nothing to do with this," he stated, adding that any incursion into foreign territory would require his personal consent, which was not the case.
The group “Black Rus” takes responsibility
The next day, a Telegram channel released a video in which the mysterious group calling itself " Black Rus " claimed responsibility for the border breach. A masked member, calling himself "Nemano," with a modified voice, announced that the attack was merely a test phase and promised further incursions along other NATO border crossings.
Nemano's statements
In the video message, Nemano recounts that three of his comrades crossed the Kraslavsky area, clashing with Latvian defense forces. The speech was accompanied by calls for intimidation, suggesting that the next objective could include "more daring operations."
Security experts' analysis
NATO's Strategic Communications Center in Riga, represented by Janis Sarts, characterized Black Rus 's activities as an information operation coordinated by Russian and Belarusian intelligence services . According to Sarts, a clandestine organization of this nature cannot operate independently within these two countries, but acts as a front to conceal its true motives.
Former Belarusian military journalist in exile Dmitry Khalko compared the group to the notorious "Green Soldiers" who participated in the annexation of Crimea in 2014, calling them a "darker substitute." Khalko argues that using a neutral name allows Moscow and Minsk to deny any direct responsibility while retaining the ability to carry out acts of sabotage.
Latvian security investigations
The Latvian State Security Service (VDD) has opened criminal proceedings against the alleged criminal organization responsible for "extremely serious acts against peace and national security." Authorities are examining Black Rus 's operational structure and its ties to any state bodies. Furthermore, Latvian Defense Minister Raimonds Melnis has called for increased use of non-lethal weapons to counter such intrusions.