Latvian Consulate in Ukraine Damaged in Russian Attack; Latvia Protests

The honorary consulate of Latvia in Sloviansk, Ukraine, was damaged during a Russian aerial attack, prompting strong condemnation from Latvian officials. Latvia's Foreign Minister Baiba Braže reported the damage to the building on social media.

According to Latvian public broadcaster, ten private homes and business buildings were also damaged in the strike. Latvian President Edgar Rinkēvičs denounced the destruction of the consulate office as "another Russian war crime." He affirmed Latvia's unwavering support for Ukraine and for the work of Latvia's honorary consul, Oleksandrs Pavenka.

Latvian Foreign Ministry advisor Toms Sadovskis stated that the consulate building was destroyed by a Russian KAB-250 guided aerial bomb. While Honorary Consul Oleksandrs Pavenka was unharmed, two consulate employees sustained injuries. The Latvian Foreign Ministry is in constant contact with the honorary consul and Ukrainian authorities to ascertain the circumstances, assist the injured, and gather further information.

In response to the attack, Latvia summoned Russia's charge d'affaires and presented a formal protest note. The ministry strongly condemned Russia's assault on Sloviansk and the destruction of the Latvian honorary consulate, which had reopened in December 2022 after being evacuated following Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.