Latvian mayor wounded in Russian shelling while delivering aid in Ukraine

Egils Helmanis, chairman of the Ogre municipal council and member of Latvia's National Alliance party, was wounded in Ukraine as a result of Russian shelling, a spokesperson for the Ogre municipality confirmed on July 16.

Helmanis was in Ukraine on an official trip to deliver vehicles and other aid to the Ukrainian armed forces, according to Patriks Grīva, the council's spokesperson, Caliber.Az reports per LSM.lv. 

Grīva noted that information about the incident remains limited.

"What we concluded is that there was a shelling last night and as a result of that he has been wounded," he said.

According to reports from Ukrainian sources, Helmanis' condition is currently stable. However, details regarding the nature of his injuries and his exact location have not been disclosed.

Asked whether Helmanis was being treated in a hospital, Grīva responded that such details were unknown, citing security concerns surrounding the transportation route.

"Each of these journeys is fraught with danger," he said.

Latvia has been a strong supporter of Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, providing both humanitarian and military assistance. 

By Sabina Mammadli