The Pskov region and Latvia have had historical ties since the founding of the Pskov Republic in the 13th century.[1] From 1925 to 1945 Abrene County was part of the Republic of Latvia. Following the Soviet occupation, on 16 January 1945 the area was transferred from the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic to Pskov Oblast and renamed Pytalovsky District. After regaining independence in 1991, Latvia initially claimed the previous Latvian territory, on the basis of the 1920 Latvian–Soviet Peace Treaty. The delimitation of the border was completed in 1998, but the treaty on the state border was signed and ratified only on 27 March 2007.[2] It recognised the Pytalovsky District as part of Russia.[3]
As a result of the 2023 Wagner Group rebellion, Latvia immediately sealed its borders from Russia in response to the mutiny until further notice.[4]
According to the 2007 agreement on the Russian-Latvian State Border,[5] the state border between Latvia and Russia starting from the intersection point of the state borders of Latvia, Russia and Belarus, and ends with the joint borders of Latvia, Russia and Estonia.[6]
The access-restricted Border Security Zone of Russia lies along the border on the Russian side. In order to visit this zone, a permit issued by the local FSB department is required (the only exceptions are international border transit points).[7]
Border crossings can also be done by air travel. The only international airport in Latvia is Riga International Airport which, prior to February 2022, used to have scheduled flights among other places to Moscow and Saint Petersburg. The airports at Daugavpils, Liepāja, Jūrmala-Tukuma and Ventspils are also registered as border crossing points, although not used for regular international flights.[8]
Following the mobilization announced in Russia related to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine in September, Latvia declared state emergency for three months in border counties and closed the Pededze crossing. [10]
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