Russian strike destroys Latvian honorary consulate in Ukraine; five civilians killed
A Russian airstrike on July 24 completely destroyed Latvia's honorary consulate in the Donetsk region, killing five civilians and injuring two staff members. Ambassador Pildegovičs stated the consulate was located in central Sloviansk with no military targets nearby.
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On July 24, a Russian aviation strike completely destroyed Latvia's honorary consulate in the Donetsk region of Ukraine. The attack killed five civilians and injured two consulate employees. The honorary consul, Oleksandr Pavenko, and his family were unharmed.
Latvia's ambassador to Ukraine, Andrejs Pildegovičs, noted that this is the first such incident in Latvia's history. He emphasized that the honorary consulate in Sloviansk was the only international representation in Donbas that had continued operating since Russia's full-scale invasion. It served as a hub for coordinating Latvian humanitarian aid to the war-affected region.
According to the ambassador, the consulate was located in central Sloviansk, with no military facilities nearby. He characterized the attack as Russia's attempt to eliminate the last international presence in Donbas. Pildegovičs affirmed that Latvia will continue supporting both the honorary consul and Ukraine, and that Russia will not stop Latvia's aid to Donbas.
