{
  "id": 8240292,
  "title": "Stop arming Ukraine or we shut down your defense firms, pro-Kremlin group tells Latvia, Poland, and Portugal",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/stop-arming-ukraine-or-we-shut-down-your-defense-firms-pro-kremlin",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-18T11:37:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Euromaidan Press",
    "slug": "euromaidan-press",
    "url": "https://euromaidanpress.com/2026/09/18/stop-arming-ukraine-or-we-shut-down-your-defense-firms-pro-kremlin-group-tells-latvia-poland-and-portugal/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On September 9, Latvia's State Security Service (VDD) initiated a criminal investigation following threats of terrorism against Latvian companies providing weapons to Ukraine. The demand was issued by a pro-Kremlin group, Global Citizens Against War 1984, to Latvia, Poland, and Portugal. This follows a series of fires and explosions at European sites supplying Ukraine, with at least four occurring since August 10. No connection between these events and the group has been confirmed. In Riga, on September 10, VDD detained one individual, searched their home and vehicle, and seized data storage devices and other items. The suspect has been held in custody since September 17 under part two of article 79.6 of Latvia's criminal law. The ultimatum from Global Citizens Against War 1984, demanding an end to weapon and ammunition supplies to Ukraine by October 7, threatens operational shutdown by any means necessary. The group also posted graffiti in Riga, Warsaw, and Lisbon, with similar markings reported in Warsaw and Lisbon. Russian-language elements on the group's Instagram account suggest a Russian origin, though the specific organization remains unidentified. Other European defense companies have also faced suspected sabotage, including fires at Estonian, Bulgarian, and Italian facilities. Authorities have not linked these incidents to the group.",
  "summary": "Latvia's security service has opened a terrorism case and jailed one suspect, with the group's deadline set for 7 October.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Interfax-Ukraine",
        "title": "Poland and Romania affirm support for Ukraine, importance of Carpathian format",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/poland-and-romania-affirm-support-for-ukraine-importance-of",
        "published": "2026-09-18T11:20:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Ukrinform - Politics",
        "title": "Zelensky: Ukraine and Poland should be “mature partners” and focus on joint projects",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/zelensky-ukraine-and-poland-should-be-mature-partners-and-focus-on",
        "published": "2026-09-18T12:32:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Citizen",
        "title": "Russia seizes assets of Nestlé and French firms over West’s Ukraine support",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/russia-seizes-assets-of-nestle-and-french-firms-over-wests-ukraine",
        "published": "2026-09-18T12:51:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}