A 22-year-old luxury-class SUV once confiscated from a drunk driver in Latvia is now bound for Ukraine as part of the country’s ongoing support for Kyiv’s defense effort, according to Latvia’s Interior Ministry. The new shipment includes 21 vehicles seized in driving under the influence and other criminal cases.
Latvia to donate 21 seized vehicles to Ukraine, including luxury SUV
Delfi reports that Latvia’s Interior Ministry has finalized a draft government decision to hand over 21 vehicles confiscated from drunk drivers and in other criminal cases. Among the vehicles is a 2003 Lincoln Navigator, a luxury-class SUV. All the vehicles are destined for the following entities:
- Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense
- National Guard
- the Kharkiv railway clinical hospital
- the military administration in Novovorontsovka.
The donated fleet consists of the vehicles manufactured between 2000 and 2019. Latvian officials noted that the State Supply Agency had estimated their potential market value at approximately €74,600 if sold.
How Latvia turns seized assets into wartime support
Latvia’s policy of transferring confiscated vehicles to Ukraine began in March 2023 after legislative amendments allowed the use of impounded property for foreign aid. The program specifically targets vehicles taken from individuals who committed serious traffic violations, including drunk driving.
Since its launch, Latvia has consistently delivered such vehicles to Ukraine. In 2024 alone, over 600 confiscated vehicles were handed over. These are used not only for combat missions but also for humanitarian operations in frontline areas.
