Russia relies on criminals to carry out sabotage, while China focuses on recruiting scientists for long-term influence, according to the Latvian State Security Service’s (VDD) 2025 annual report, according to LSM.
The report details the differences in tactics between the two countries: Moscow seeks operatives for “dirty work,” whereas Beijing uses soft power and scientific connections.
Russian intelligence views recruited criminals as single-use agents. According to Latvian counterintelligence, Russia actively seeks accomplices in the criminal environment, reaching out to former and current prisoners via messengers and multi-level agent networks. These individuals are used for aggressive actions, such as attacks on state infrastructure and psychological operations. The Russian side deliberately inserts intermediaries to hide the direct link between the operatives and state structures, showing no concern for the fate of their mercenaries after the mission is completed.
China’s strategy is different and targets the academic sphere. Latvian scientists, policymakers, and cultural figures are offered fully funded trips to China. After such visits, participants often become de facto lobbyists for Beijing’s interests, sometimes without even realizing it. They begin promoting official statements of the Chinese Communist Party and encouraging cooperation in strategically important areas. The VDD warns that this activity threatens academic freedom and creates risks of unauthorized transfer of technology and intellectual property.
The report pays special attention to protective measures. Latvian intelligence strongly recommends that scientists fund trips to China out of their own pocket to avoid dependency. Those who do travel are advised to use temporary, single-use phones, avoid connecting to Latvian state systems, and not use flash drives received there. Experts also urge reporting any suspicious contacts on social networks, such as LinkedIn.
In addition to Russia and China, the report mentions threats from Belarus and the risks of radicalization among certain citizens. However, Russia is identified as the main aggressor, continuing massive online disinformation and propaganda campaigns.
The Annual Report in English on the activities of VDD during 2025 is available here.
