According to Latvian Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava, Latvian border authorities screened 164 Russian citizens at the Russian embassy in Riga by 2:00 p.m. on September 20, 2026, during voting for the Russian State Duma. Officials reported low overall turnout and no regulatory violations while conducting targeted immigration checks outside the diplomatic mission.
Turnout and Security Checks at the Riga Embassy
State Police and the State Border Guard monitored the voting site established at the diplomatic facility, logging each visitor entering the premises. Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava stated on the social platform X that interest among Russian nationals living in Latvia remained minimal throughout the early voting hours. Authorities checked 164 Russian Federation citizens by the early afternoon without noting any infractions.
Law enforcement officials observed that the embassy limited access to a single visitor at a time. According to the interior ministry, this restriction created artificial queues outside the building. Officials indicated they would monitor whether embassy reports later match the verified tally of individuals counted by security services.
Latvian Rejection of Voting in Occupied Territories
While local screening occurred in Riga, the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its position regarding the broader election process. According to LETA, Latvia officially refuses to recognize voting organized by the Russian Federation in temporary Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine, the Transnistria region of Moldova, and the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia.
The foreign ministry emphasized that ongoing territorial occupations and illegal annexations violate international law. Consequently, the votes held in those regions lack legal validity. Riga maintained its strong stance supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia within their internationally recognized borders.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many Russian citizens were checked in Riga?
According to Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava, border authorities checked 164 Russian citizens by 2:00 p.m. at the embassy in Riga.
Did authorities report any violations during the voting?
No, the State Police and State Border Guard reported zero infractions during the immigration checks conducted outside the facility.
Does Latvia recognize Russian parliamentary votes in occupied regions?
No, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Latvia rejects the legitimacy of votes held in occupied Ukrainian territories, Transnistria, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia.
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