Russian attacks caused damage to Latvia’s Honorary Consulate located in eastern Ukraine, resulting in six civilian deaths and numerous injuries. Leaders from the EU and Baltic nations condemned the incident as an intentional assault on civilians and diplomatic sites.
Latvia’s Foreign Minister Baiba Braze expressed “strong indignation” on Friday, confirming that a Russian strike had severely damaged the Baltic state’s honorary consulate in Sloviansk, Ukraine, causing the death of at least six Ukrainian civilians and injuring dozens more.
ADVERTISEMENT 
ADVERTISEMENT
“I have notified ministers from the EU and NATO alongside international organisations,” Braze stated in an online message. “Russia may demolish structures, but it cannot break Ukraine’s determination nor Latvia’s support.”
The Latvian public broadcaster LTV Zinu dienests reported that Latvia’s Honorary Consul, Oleksandr Pavenko, was unharmed during the strike, which took place in the Donbas area.
Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics labeled the consulate attack as a “war crime.” He emphasized, “Latvia stands firmly with Ukraine. Support for our honorary consul, Oleksandr Pavenko, as well as all those on the frontlines aiding their communities, will continue.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that guided aerial bombs killed six civilians on Friday and wounded several others. In an online statement, he noted that the strike damaged “residential buildings, the consulate premises, and vehicles.”
“It is crucial for our partners to fully recognize that safeguarding lives depends partly on their support. Interceptors for the Patriot missile systems remain the highest priority,” Zelenskyy asserted.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described the event as yet another example of Russia’s “blatant breach of international law” and disregard for the protection of civilian and diplomatic properties.
He called for “robust international reactions” in response to the incident.
EU and Baltic indignation
Prominent EU officials have also expressed solidarity with Ukraine and Latvia.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen led with condolences to the families impacted by the deadly strike, describing the attack on Latvia’s diplomatic mission as a clear demonstration of Russia’s “total disregard for diplomacy.”
“Russia is losing the conflict it initiated and, out of desperation, increasingly targets civilians to break Ukraine’s morale. Nevertheless, Ukraine’s spirit remains unyielding, as does Europe’s commitment to support Ukraine’s defense,” she stated.
European Council President António Costa echoed these sentiments, highlighting that Russia’s assault on the consulate and the city of Sloviansk constitutes a “serious and unacceptable offense.”
“I strongly condemn this strike which resulted in fatalities and numerous injuries,” he affirmed.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys condemned Russia’s actions against Ukrainian civilians and Latvia’s political infrastructure, asserting that these efforts will not “diminish the bravery, endurance, and resolve of the Ukrainian people, nor the determination of those standing with Ukraine.”
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna described the event as a “deliberate attack” targeting both Ukrainians and European diplomatic missions.
“Such assaults will not remain unanswered. Pressure will increase, and support for Ukraine will remain steadfast,” he added.
Last August, Russian strikes on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, “greatly damaged” the EU’s diplomatic offices. At that time, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed she was “outraged” by the attack, which claimed the lives of at least 17 Ukrainian civilians.