1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
SocietyLatvia

Danger in the Baltics: The threat from Russia

November 29, 2025

The calm is over and the Baltics face very real threats: human trafficking from Belarus, acts of sabotage and Russian military jets in NATO airspace.

https://p.dw.com/p/54U4Y

In Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, Russia's proximity shapes everyday life. While NATO is increasing its troop numbers, people are trying to maintain normality — with family celebrations, running businesses, and a belief in peace. Farmers like Andzejs Petkevics are harvesting their last potatoes under the shadow of increased border controls and military presence. In Lithuania, Birute Krakasuskiene runs a kebab shop, where her regular customers are soldiers from the country's largest NATO base. And on the Estonian island of Hiiumaa, Ave Ungro is involved in the women's civil defense force to be prepared for an emergency. But the question remains: How do you live in the crosshairs? A film about fear, hope, and everyday life on Europe's most sensitive border.

For more like this, follow this link

Rescheto Juri Kommentarbild App
Juri Rescheto DW Riga Bureau Chief
Skip next section About the show

About the show

DW "Reporter" Sendungslogo (Composite)

Reporter — On Location

DW’s on-the-ground reporters are always close to the action, be it covering international events or zooming in on some of the quirks of daily life. Camera always in hand, they report on the changes they see taking place in Germany, Europe and around the world.