In 2024, Latvia imported arms and munitions from Russia worth EUR 796 774, which is 74.5% more when compared to the year prior. This marks a new record for imports of such goods, according to data from the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia (CSP).
The State Revenue Service (VID) explained to LETA that Latvia did not import combat arms, munitions or other military purpose goods from Russia. What Latvia did import was equipment for paintball games, maintenance equipment for paintball arms, as well as equipment related to underwater sports.
Data from CSP indicates that imports of goods in this category from Russia showed a tendency to grow over the last several years. The value of imports of these goods in 2024 increased 55 times when compared to 2014.
In 2014, Latvia imported weapons and ammunition, their parts and accessories from Russia in a total value of EUR 14 396. In 2015 such goods were not imported from Russia. In 2016 they were imported in the value of EUR 116 046, in 2017 – EUR 116 488, in 2018 – EUR 113 734, in 2019 – EUR 161 436, in 2020 – EUR 248 888, In 2021 – EUR 363 934, in 2022 – EUR 560 015, but in 2023 – EUR 456 555.
Last year, the majority of goods imported from Russia in this category, or EUR 774 392, were imported under the categories “bombs, grenades, torpedoes, mines, missiles and other ammunition and projectiles, parts thereof, not elsewhere specified or included”. Compared to 2023, it is an increase of 81.1%, but compared to 2022 – an increase of 63.3%.
At the same time, last year there was a decrease in imports in the category “other springs, pneumatic or gas shotguns and pistols, batons and other weapons”, as well as in the category “parts and accessories for weapons and similar articles included in the above category, not elsewhere specified or included”.
Accordingly, the value of imported goods in the category “other springs, pneumatic or gas shotguns and pistols, batons and other weapons” last year was EUR 17 231, which is 21.2% less than in 2023 and 3.2 times less than in 2022, but the import value of weapons and similar products included in the above-mentioned category of parts and accessories not mentioned or not elsewhere mentioned or included in the above category was EUR 5151, which, when compared to 2023, is a decrease of 27.3%, but compared to 2022 – a drop of 3.6 times.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs told LETA that it has always advocated for the imposition of sanctions against Russia as strict and comprehensive as possible, as well as has consistently called on the business community in both Latvia and the European Union (EU) to stop economic cooperation with the aggressor countries Russia and Belarus.
“Proposals for EU sanctions are prepared and reviewed by EU institutions in cooperation with EU member states. Approval of sanctions requires unanimous agreement from all member states,” the ministry explain.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also noted that the main priorities in the area of sanctions at the moment are the reduction of Russian income, including from the trade in energy resources, and the prevention of the use of Western technologies in the military industry.
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Publish date : 2025-02-21 01:01:00
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