major attacks were carried out by the omon of riga, however, another combat unit was seen during the attack on the ministry of interior affairs. it has been speculated that this unit was alpha group which had been seen in action during the attack on vilnius. in an interview with film director juris podnieks, an omon officer stated that originally it was planned to attack riga, not vilnius. at the last moment, a week before the attack on vilnius, the plan was suddenly changed. he also claimed that the omon of rīga was so well prepared that there was no need for the soviet military, which was present in rīga at the time, to engage.