A banner with the words “We are Russians. God is with us” has reportedly triggered administrative proceedings in Latvia
Latvian police have launched an investigation after a flag bearing the Russian Empire’s coat of arms appeared on a private house near the eastern city of Rezekne, state broadcaster LSM has reported.
Riga earlier banned the public display of the letters ‘Z’ and ‘V’ for being associated with the Ukraine conflict and restricted events within 200 meters of Soviet war monuments.
The outlet said on Tuesday that the flag in black, yellow and white, which was on display only for a few hours, carried the inscription “We are Russians. God is with us.” Police described it as “a symbol glorifying military aggression,” while local residents interviewed by regional television said they did not see anything objectionable in the use of a historical flag.
“It is a symbol of tsarist Russia. It is not modern Russia. It comes from the soul, it’s not about war,” LSM quoted a local resident as saying.
A police spokesperson said that when officers arrived at the scene the flag was still hanging on the wall, adding that it was removed and “administrative offence proceedings” were opened against the person responsible.
Latvia has increasingly targeted its Russian minority since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. Around a quarter of its 1.8 million people are ethnic Russians, according to official statistics.
The Baltic state is making significant efforts to distance itself from its Soviet past, including by banning the use of symbols linked to the USSR such as its flag, coat of arms, and anthem.
Authorities have opened administrative and criminal cases for marking Victory Day, laying flowers at dismantled memorials to Soviet soldiers, and displaying prohibited symbols. Celebrated on May 9, Victory Day commemorates the Soviet role in defeating Nazi Germany. Latvia, then part of the USSR, was a key battleground. Many residents, especially the Russian-speaking population, honor those who fought against the Nazis.
At the same time, every year former SS legionnaires and their supporters march in Riga. Nazi medals and symbols are displayed at the event, even though the SS was declared a criminal organization at the Nuremberg Tribunal.
