Latvia’s latest compulsory intake has exposed substantial resistance and attrition within the country’s National Defence Service. Of 400 young people selected for compulsory service in July, roughly one-third ignored their summons and failed to appear for medical examinations. Another third were subsequently declared medically unfit, while several recruits challenged their call-up. In the end, only 60 of the 400 compulsorily selected recruits actually began service.

Read the entire piece in Neatkarīgā (nra.lv).