On February 17, the Constitution Protection Bureau (SAB) publishes the unclassified part of the annual report for the year 2024. Along with last year&#8217;s analysis, SAB also provides forecast on the possible development of current security issues.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, European countries have faced a new but increasingly significant threat – sabotage, diversions and physical attacks on targets in Europe by Russian intelligence and security services. In 2024, cases of Russian-organized sabotage have significantly increased, affecting more and more European countries. The new trend confirms that Russia is already having a direct confrontation with the West.
Russian intelligence and security services are currently developing their capabilities to organize sabotage in Europe. It is part of Moscow’s preparation for a possible military confrontation with NATO in the long term. The current concentration of Russian military resources in Ukraine makes the likelihood of a direct Russian-NATO military confrontation in 2025 rather low. However, if the war would become “frozen” and Russia would no longer have to suffer significant losses during the active hostilities in Ukraine, Moscow would be able to increase its military presence next to NATO’s north-eastern flank, including the Baltics within the next 5 years. This scenario would significantly increase Russia’s military threat to NATO, states the report.
“When facing a potential external threat, it is particularly important to maintain domestic stability and resilience. This applies at all levels, from the individual to the political, including the international arena. The decision-makers must think strategically, considering the long-term developments and security context. To maintain our security, we must develop our strength - no one tries to attack the strong and self-confident,” emphasizes Egils Zviedris, director of SAB, commenting on the current security challenges.
The classified part of the annual report will be reviewed by the Cabinet of Ministers and the National Security Commission of the Parliament of Latvia. Thereby the directions of the activities of the Constitution Protection Bureau for the year 2025 will be approved.
The full text of the report is available <a href="https://sab.gov.lv/files/uploads/2025/02/SAB-gada-parskats_2024_ENG.pdf">here</a>.
It is also possible to find out about the annual report, as well as other information disseminated by SAB on the social network X: @SAB_LV.
SAB report provides an overview of counter-intelligence, cyber security, intelligence and classified information protection issues in 2024. The report also includes an assessment of domestic and foreign policy developments in Russia and Belarus in 2024, taking into account the particularly active efforts of the special services of these countries to influence the EU and NATO countries, including Latvia.

Russia is purposefully developing its capabilities to confront NATO, Constitution Protection Bureau states, publishing its annual report

The Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and The Government of the Netherlands concerning Security Measures for the Protection of Classified Information was signed on 15 January 2025. The text of the Agreement was drafted by the Constitution Protection Bureau (SAB) in cooperation with the competent authorities of the Netherlands. The Agreement was signed by the Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Baiba Braže, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Mr Caspar Veldkamp.
There is no valid agreement between Latvia and the Netherlands on protection of classified Information, therefore the signing of the agreement is essential for the cooperation, especially in the field of security and defense.
The agreement establishes a unified and detailed framework for the processing and protection of classified information, which is an important aspect for the cooperation between both countries, especially in military and economic field. The new regulation will also allow companies that have been granted facility security clearances to participate in classified tenders of the other country.
As the National Security Authority, SAB represents Latvia in the negotiation process of bilateral security agreements. It can take a long time to align two different regulatory frameworks for protection of classified information and ratification of agreements. The drafting of the particular lasted for several years.

Agreement between Latvia and the Netherlands on Protection of Classified Information was signed on 15 January 2025

The Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and The Government of the United States of America concerning Security Measures for the Protection of Classified Information was signed on 12 December 2024. The text of the Agreement was drafted by the Constitution Protection Bureau (SAB) in cooperation with the competent authorities of the US. The Agreement was signed by the Latvian Minister of Justice, Ms Inese Lībiņa-Egnere, and US Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Latvia, Mr Christopher Robinson.
The Agreement establishes a unified and detailed framework for the processing and protection of classified information, which is an essential aspect of the increasing political, military and economic cooperation between both countries. Exchange of classified information is particularly important for a full-fledged defence cooperation, enabling a common perception of threats, and provision of military and technical support. The new regulation will also allow companies that have been granted facility security clearances to participate in classified tenders of the other country (e.g. Latvian companies will now be able to participate in US tenders involving classified information).
As the National Security Authority, SAB represents Latvia in the negotiation process of bilateral security agreements. It can take a long time to align two different regulatory frameworks for protection of classified information and ratification of agreements. The drafting of the Latvian-US Agreement lasted for several years.
The entering into force of the new Agreement will terminate the Latvian-US Agreement for protection of classified military information, concluded in 1998.
SAB is currently negotiating security agreements with the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Poland, Belgium, and Malta.

Agreement between Latvia and the United States of America on Protection of Classified Information was signed on 12 December 2024

On November 15, the new premises of the Constitution Protection Bureau (SAB) were officially opened.
Since the current working conditions of SAB, including the location of structural units, created more and more challenges for ensuring NATO and EU security standards in order to realize the full performance of SAB&#8217;s functions, a building located in the vicinity of Brasa was renovated for SAB&#8217;s needs.
The building and the area adjacent to it are a part of the former War Hospital building complex. This complex is an architectural monument of national significance "Hospital building and park", where historical evidence has been preserved, combining them with security requirements corresponding to the service.
“May the war doctors who served here, who once protected and restored the health of wounded soldiers, serve as an example to the employees of the Constitution Protection Bureau, fulfilling their official duties and protecting the country of Latvia, its independence and security," emphasized Egils Zviedris, director of SAB, when opening the new service premises.
The restoration and reconstruction project of this building was developed for the needs of SAB in 2017. The works were started in the fall of 2020. Before the reconstruction started, the building was not operated and since 2012 it had been standing empty. Taking into account the critical state of the building&#8217;s structures, large-scale dismantling works were carried out, building new floor coverings, roof structures and roof, windows and doors, as well as installing new communications.
A special testimony to the fact that the building once housed a military hospital are the names of the medical facilities located in the premises. The rooms are named after the seven prominent doctors of the military hospital, colonels and generals, who managed this medical complex from 1919 to 1940. These names will continue to remind us of the role of Latvian army officers and the importance of this place in the history of Latvia.
SAB&#8217;s legal address is Straumes iela 1, Riga, but visitors and couriers should use the entrance from Upes iela to enter SAB&#8217;s territory. According to the service’s specifics, the premises of the SAB service are not publicly accessible. The only areas where visitors are allowed are several meeting and interview rooms.
Communication with SAB remains in its current form - by phone, e-mail or, with prior agreement on a visit, in person. SAB administrative phone number: 67025407, e-mail: pasts@sab.gov.lv. Detailed contact information is available on the SAB&#8217;s website <a href="https://sab.gov.lv/en/contact-us/">www.sab.gov.lv</a>.
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Photo: SAB
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Photo: Ilmārs Znotiņš

The new premises of the Constitution Protection Bureau have been officially opened

Please find below Annual Public Reports of the Constitution Protection Bureau (SAB). Public reports partially contain the information which is included in SAB’s report to the Cabinet of Ministers of Latvia (the Government).

Neutralisation of activities of intelligence and security services unfriendly to Latvia.

Obtaining background information on activities of foreign institutions or persons against the interests of the Latvian state.

Issuance of special permits for access to state secrets. Protection of EU and NATO classified information.

Russia is purposefully developing its capabilities to confront NATO, Constitution Protection Bureau states, publishing its annual report

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