Can society recognise activities that could pose a threat to national security? And do people know when suspicious behaviour should be reported to the relevant authorities?
In his latest publication “Citizens Are First in Line Against Russia’s Sabotage in CEE”, published in Resilient Futures Insight, LaSER security policy researcher Roberts Kits examines how public involvement is becoming an increasingly important element of national security in an era of growing Russian hybrid threats.
In recent years, Europe has witnessed a growing number of cases where sabotage operations are carried out not by professional intelligence officers, but by locally recruited individuals. This makes such threats more difficult to detect and increases the need for greater public awareness and vigilance.
In the article, Roberts Kits explores whether Central and Eastern European countries are effectively engaging their citizens in strengthening national resilience. Drawing on survey data from the University of Latvia, the author analyses public awareness of critical infrastructure and citizens’ willingness to report suspicious activities in the Baltic capitals.
The findings reveal important trends: while many residents believe they already contribute to their country’s security, different groups within society have varying levels of understanding about what may constitute a potential security threat. This highlights the need for more targeted public awareness efforts and more effective mechanisms for civic engagement.
Roberts Kits argues that strengthening security requires more than legal obligations alone — it requires public awareness, trusted reporting channels, and confidence that information provided by citizens is taken seriously and contributes to real security outcomes.
Read the full analysis in Resilient Futures Insight: “Citizens Are First in Line Against Russia’s Sabotage in CEE”
Foto: Resilient Futures Insight