A military retiree named Boris Katkov was deported from Latvia and arrived in Kaliningrad, a development reported by Khrabrovo Airport’s press service as cited by RIA News. The reception at the airport included officials from the Baltic Federal University, an institution where Katkov has been employed since 2008.
According to the report, the university’s Rector, Alexander Fedorov, ordered staff to provide Katkov with comprehensive assistance, which included help locating suitable housing and ensuring other basic needs are met during his transition. The university community described this as a coordinated effort to support a long-time member during a difficult moment in his life.
In related disclosures, it was noted that an 82-year-old retiree with Russian citizenship who had been living in Latvia had been killed on January 12 and was subsequently deported from Latvia. Sources indicated that Katkov had his permanent residence permit revoked on January 10 on the basis that he was deemed a potential threat to national security. Two days later, he was detained and separated from his family. It was also reported that he was not granted the opportunity to appeal the deportation decision within the allotted one-month period.
Katkov leaves behind a wife, a daughter, a son, and two grandsons living in Latvia. On January 13, Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that Russia would not abandon individuals deported from Latvia and would provide all necessary assistance. The remarks underscored a broader commitment from Moscow to support Russian citizens facing displacement in the region.
Previously, Latvia had signaled its intention to proceed with evacuations, with more than 1,200 Russian citizens noted as having departed the country on grounds tied to unresolved legal status. This situation underscores ongoing tensions and the human impact of cross-border movement policies in the Baltic area, space that remains a focal point for diplomatic activity and humanitarian concern within the broader Russia-Latvia context. The parties involved have emphasized the need for careful handling of legal and humanitarian aspects amid evolving security considerations.