There are around 43 thousands of ethnic Ukrainians live in Latvia (»2,2% of the population). Only 2-3 thousands of them are an active part of the diaspora.
The majority of Ukrainians in Latvia support the territorial integrity and the sovereignty of Ukraine; condemn Russia as an occupying state; actively join the Embassy’s events that support Ukrainian wounded soldiers and political prisoners of the Kremlin.
In August 2019 the Coordinating Council of the representatives of Ukrainian diaspora organizations attached to the Embassy of Ukraine was established aiming to manage joint actions for Ukraine`s support. The Coordinating Council comprised the representatives of the Congress of Ukrainians in Latvia, the Association of Ukraine`s support, the Cultural Centre “Latvia-Ukraine”, the Riga`s Ukrainian People`s Theatre, the Latvian-Ukrainian Youth Association “Vector to Europe” and the Association of the “Ukrainian-Latvian Friendship”.
However, some people among the Ukrainian community have become tools in the hands of Russian propaganda and disseminate fake information about events in Ukraine. In particular, the mentioned position is taken by the “Association of Ukrainian Societies of Latvia” headed by Ms. Irina Dukule, a member of the Association`s Council Mr. Leonid Mukhin, who by the invitation of the Russian occupying authorities had attended events at the territory of the Crimea temporarily occupied by Russia with violation of the Ukrainian legislation.
Accordingly, in January 2020, the National Commission on Foreign Ukrainians decided to dismiss the status of "foreign Ukrainian" to Ms. Irina Dukule and Mr. Leonid Mukhin. Besides, Mr. Leonid Mukhin has been banned from entering Ukraine.
Since 1992, the Riga Greek Catholic Parish of the Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ has been operating in Latvia. It plays an important role in the life of the Ukrainian community in Latvia.
The Ukrainian-language radio program "On the Waves of the Dnieper" is broadcast monthly on the Latvian radio "Domska Ploshchad FM".