Passenger traffic by land and sea transport increased in Latvia in 2025, according to the Central Statistical Bureau (CSP), LSM reported. The number of passengers on land transport totalled 192.4 million in 2025, which was up 0.6% from 191.2 million in 2024. The number of passengers on regular bus lines amounted to 97.6 million (down…
The Lithuanian Armed Forces (LGP) issued an air alert in the country’s capital, Vilnius, after a drone was sighted over Vilnius district, LRT reported. LGP activated the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission after radars detected the suspected drone within Belarusian territory. Lithuanian leaders, including President Gitanas Nauseda and Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene, as well as members…
Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) claimed that Ukraine was planning to attack Russia from the territory of the Baltic States, Baltic News Network reported. SVR claimed that Ukrainian soldiers had already been deployed to five military bases in Latvia and threatened Latvia with “just retribution.” Russia’s UN ambassador, Vasily Nebenzya, repeated the claims and threats…
The Latvian National Armed Forces (NBS) plans to carry out a broad transformation, NBS commander Major General Kaspars Pudans announced, LSM reports. The plan includes adding new capabilities and technologies as well as restructuring the overall structure of the armed forces. NATO division deputy commander Brigadier General Ilmars Lejins will lead the transformation. He said…
The opposition Estonian Centre Party (Keskerakond) is now the most popular political party in Estonia, according to a new Turu-Uuringute poll, ERR reports. Support for the Centre Party rose from 23% in April 2026 to 25% in May 2026. The national-conservative opposition party, Fatherland (Isamaa), dropped to second place with 20% support, which was down…
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda supports discussions on changing the country’s constitution to allow hosting nuclear weapons in the country, BNS reports. The presence of allied nuclear weapons could serve as an appropriate and proportionate deterrent against armed aggression from hostile states, Nauseda argued. Juozas Olekas, speaker of the Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas, stated that such…
Latvia’s prime minister nominee, MP Andris Kulbergs of the opposition United List, announced that he would seek to form a four-party coalition government, LSM reported. After trilateral talks, United List, the National Alliance, and the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) agreed to invite outgoing Prime Minister Evika Silina’s party, New Unity, to the negotiations….
A Romanian fighter jet based at Lithuania’s Siauliai Air Base shot down a drone over Lake Võrtsjärv in southern Estonia on 19 May 2026, Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur announced, ERR reported. Taavi Aas, head of the Põltsamaa municipality, said that the drone crashed into a field near Põltsamaa. No civilian damage or injuries were reported….
The European Commission has approved an additional EUR 153mn in funding for Lithuania under the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), BNS reports. The funds are due to be disbursed in July 2026. So far, Lithuania has received EUR 2.69bn under its national recovery plan. Lithuania will submit its final RRF payment request in September…