Latvia’s State Security Service (VDD) said on December 2nd it has asked the prosecutor’s office to initiate criminal proceedings against a Russian citizen who is alleged to have attempted to transport 10,000 rounds of ammunition (or components thereof) across the Latvian state border into Russia.
“The [ammunition] was found hidden in the cab of a freight vehicle driven by a person at the Terehova customs control point and seized. The State Revenue Service Customs Department informed the VDD about the packages with bullets found in the vehicle,” said a release from the VDD.
The VDD initiated criminal proceedings against the person – who remains unnamed, in line with standard practice – on September 27th, 2025 on suspicion of committing a criminal offense in attempting to violate EU sanctions.
In response to Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine, the EU has banned the direct or indirect sale, supply, transfer or export of firearms, their parts and essential components, and ammunition to Russia since 7th October 2022.
The suspect has been remanded in custody as a precautionary measure. The VDD said it had asked for the prosecution of the individual in question on November 24th and also released images of the ammunition itself, which appeared to be bullet casings. The origin of the consignment was not specified by the VDD.
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