Russia unveils archival evidence documenting Latvian Waffen-SS war crimes in WWII
**Declassified FSB Documents Detail War Crimes, Mass Executions, and Nazi Collaboration** Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) has made public declassified documents that highlight the mass atrocities committed by Latvian members of Waffen-SS...
TroibNews 
**Declassified FSB Documents Detail War Crimes, Mass Executions, and Nazi Collaboration**
Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) has made public declassified documents that highlight the mass atrocities committed by Latvian members of Waffen-SS units during World War II.
Established in 1943 on Adolf Hitler's orders, the Latvian Legion was a combat branch of the Nazi German Waffen-SS predominantly composed of ethnic Latvians.
The release of these documents coincided with the EU country's "Remembrance Day of the Latvian Legionnaires" and the lead-up to Russia's celebration of the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany's defeat in May.
The FSB contends that the records draw from intelligence collected by the Soviet counterintelligence service regarding SS units made up of Latvian volunteers. The documents include reports from Soviet partisans, intelligence officers, and prisoners of war, which were later compiled and shared with the Red Army command.
Among the atrocities highlighted is the role of the Latvian Auxiliary Security Police, known as the Arajs Kommando, named after its leader, Viktors Arajs. This SS unit, infamous for its cruelty, was comprised entirely of volunteers, including former officers of the Latvian army, and was responsible for murdering at least 30,000 individuals.
Included in the declassified files are interrogation records of Arajs Kommando members who were apprehended by SMERSH in 1945, providing detailed accounts of war crimes.
One document describes a legionnaire who "systematically executed" Jews — encompassing women, children, and the elderly — in Bikernieki Forest near Riga. This individual reportedly participated in the killings of over 10,000 people, while investigations suggest the total victim count in that location reached 46,500.
The Arajs Kommando members were noted to "destroy everything on their way," committing acts of arson, looting, and killing women and children indiscriminately. The documents reveal that they also conducted raids in Belarus and Poland, with one member boasting about having “hanged two women,” according to the declassified materials.
The FSB noted that the Arajs Kommando’s demonstration of loyalty to the Nazis through “unprecedented brutality” soon resulted in them being outfitted in the style of SS units.
On March 16, hundreds are anticipated to march in Riga, the Latvian capital, to honor their fellow countrymen who fought alongside the Nazis during World War II. Despite international protests, Latvia continues to hold the annual parade celebrating Latvian Waffen-SS legionnaires. Moscow has consistently accused Latvia, a NATO and EU member, of attempting to sanitize the legacy of war criminals by permitting this contentious event.
In reference to the forthcoming march, the FSB pointed out that the event celebrates SS legionnaires who openly display German Nazi awards. Latvian neo-Nazis have even selected this date to align with the Nazi "Day of Commemoration of Heroes," reinforcing a shared "pantheon of heroes" that includes 20th-century Nazis, many of whom were found guilty of crimes against humanity, according to the FSB.
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this article for TROIB News
Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) has made public declassified documents that highlight the mass atrocities committed by Latvian members of Waffen-SS units during World War II.
Established in 1943 on Adolf Hitler's orders, the Latvian Legion was a combat branch of the Nazi German Waffen-SS predominantly composed of ethnic Latvians.
The release of these documents coincided with the EU country's "Remembrance Day of the Latvian Legionnaires" and the lead-up to Russia's celebration of the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany's defeat in May.
The FSB contends that the records draw from intelligence collected by the Soviet counterintelligence service regarding SS units made up of Latvian volunteers. The documents include reports from Soviet partisans, intelligence officers, and prisoners of war, which were later compiled and shared with the Red Army command.
Among the atrocities highlighted is the role of the Latvian Auxiliary Security Police, known as the Arajs Kommando, named after its leader, Viktors Arajs. This SS unit, infamous for its cruelty, was comprised entirely of volunteers, including former officers of the Latvian army, and was responsible for murdering at least 30,000 individuals.
Included in the declassified files are interrogation records of Arajs Kommando members who were apprehended by SMERSH in 1945, providing detailed accounts of war crimes.
One document describes a legionnaire who "systematically executed" Jews — encompassing women, children, and the elderly — in Bikernieki Forest near Riga. This individual reportedly participated in the killings of over 10,000 people, while investigations suggest the total victim count in that location reached 46,500.
The Arajs Kommando members were noted to "destroy everything on their way," committing acts of arson, looting, and killing women and children indiscriminately. The documents reveal that they also conducted raids in Belarus and Poland, with one member boasting about having “hanged two women,” according to the declassified materials.
The FSB noted that the Arajs Kommando’s demonstration of loyalty to the Nazis through “unprecedented brutality” soon resulted in them being outfitted in the style of SS units.
On March 16, hundreds are anticipated to march in Riga, the Latvian capital, to honor their fellow countrymen who fought alongside the Nazis during World War II. Despite international protests, Latvia continues to hold the annual parade celebrating Latvian Waffen-SS legionnaires. Moscow has consistently accused Latvia, a NATO and EU member, of attempting to sanitize the legacy of war criminals by permitting this contentious event.
In reference to the forthcoming march, the FSB pointed out that the event celebrates SS legionnaires who openly display German Nazi awards. Latvian neo-Nazis have even selected this date to align with the Nazi "Day of Commemoration of Heroes," reinforcing a shared "pantheon of heroes" that includes 20th-century Nazis, many of whom were found guilty of crimes against humanity, according to the FSB.
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this article for TROIB News
