Riga is set to transfer 21 vehicles, previously confiscated from drunk drivers and involved in other criminal cases, to Ukraine. This initiative aims to bolster defense capabilities and support essential services in areas affected by the ongoing conflict, according to reports from Latvian media.
The Latvian Ministry of Internal Affairs has drafted a government decision to formalize this vehicle transfer. Among the items included is a 22-year-old Lincoln Navigator luxury SUV, highlighting the varied nature of the vehicles being supplied. The vehicles, manufactured between 2000 and 2019, have an estimated combined market value of approximately 74,600 euros ($87,183) based on evaluations from the State Provision Agency.
The recipients of these vehicles include military units operating under the Ministry of Defense, the National Guard, and medical facilities such as the Kharkiv Clinical Multidisciplinary Railway Hospital. Additionally, vehicles are allocated to the military administration of the Novovorontsovka settlement, ensuring that both defense and humanitarian needs are addressed.
This vehicle transfer is part of a broader Latvian program instituted in March 2023, which facilitates the repurposing of vehicles seized for serious traffic violations into meaningful support for Ukraine. This legislative amendment reflects a commitment from Latvian officials to redirect previously confiscated assets to meet urgent wartime needs.
Since the inception of this initiative, Latvia has consistently sent seized vehicles to assist Ukraine’s military efforts. In 2024 alone, over 600 vehicles have been delivered, serving crucial roles in logistics, medical support, and humanitarian operations on the front lines. This continued support underscores the solidarity and collaborative efforts of Baltic nations in response to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
