The editorial office of the newspaper Ludzas Zeme has received threats regarding its stance against Russia's invasion of Ukraine. A border resident recently called wanting to pay to place a thank-you note to Putin in the paper. The caller is Latvian…

Cowardice forces silence

Many residents of the Ludza municipality are tarnished by the sea of Russian TV propaganda and lies (as social media users often demonstrate). Some are truly recruited Russian agents, others are simply uninformed people, and a third group consists of folks poisoned by the imperialism of a great power. It has crystallised, at least in Latgale, that support for or condemnation of Russia is not linked to nationality or even language proficiency. Local government politicians either remain silent to avoid losing their pro-Russian electorate, or, after expressing support for Ukraine, start to worry about whether they will be elected in the next ballot. Are we really prepared to sacrifice national independence for seats on the council?

Naivety was a mistake

Russia has long been waging an information hybrid war against Latvia, where the primary sources of information for the population are brainwashing boxes, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok, and where even in the hearts of Latvians and Latgalians themselves, divided feelings towards Putin reign. We Latgalians are so naive… We believe that the big bear is kind-hearted. We befriend Russian municipalities and think that people from the Russian side will not carry the things expressed by the Latvian side during the merrier moments of experience exchange while drunk to local spies… Yet the proud Latvian will not associate with Latvian security officers, because that is all nonsense… It turns out it is not. One must always think about Russia in a historical context. Ambitions and the desire to occupy are an integral paradigm.