Latvia Bolsters Ukraine with Armored Vehicle Delivery

New military aid package arrives as Kyiv seeks more offensive capabilities.

As part of its ongoing commitment to Ukraine’s defense, Latvia has delivered a shipment of Patria 6×6 armored personnel carriers (APCs) to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This move follows discussions focused on boosting Ukraine’s military strength.

Defense Leaders Meet

The announcement came after a meeting between **Valerii Churkin**, Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister, and **Andris Spruds**, the Latvian Defense Minister. The two officials spoke about enhancing the capabilities of Ukraine’s forces, according to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry.

During the meeting, **Churkin** expressed his thanks to Latvia for providing the advanced Patria 6×6 APCs, which have been jointly produced by Finland, Estonia, and Latvia since 2021.

“I am grateful to the people and government of Latvia for their comprehensive and unwavering support, and for this new package of military assistance. Latvia’s consistent and clear stance in support of our struggle is extremely valuable and important to Ukraine,”

—Valerii Churkin, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister

Logistical Support

While the full details of the logistical and technical aid package remain undisclosed, the delivery includes other weapons and equipment aimed at strengthening the Ukrainian military, in addition to the Patria APCs.

The Ukrainian delegation also engaged in bilateral meetings with government representatives and leading defense manufacturers. These talks centered on enhanced cooperation, technology exchange, and increasing defense capabilities.

Calls for Offensive Capabilities

Following a large-scale Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv in July, **Baiba Braze**, Latvia’s Foreign Minister, stressed the importance of supplying Ukraine with greater offensive capabilities and tools for self-defense. As of 2024, military aid to Ukraine from Latvia has reached approximately 0.3% of its GDP, demonstrating a strong commitment to supporting Ukraine’s defense efforts (Trading Economics).