Latvia declares state of emergency in regions bordering Russia

Latvia has declared a state of emergency in the regions bordering Russia’s Pskov region, as well as in airports and sea ports, at border checkpoints and on railways due to the mobilisation declared in Russia and the increased number of Russians wishing to leave their country. The Latvian government published a corresponding statement on its website.

The state of emergency will be in force in the Aluksne, Balvi and Ludza municipalities from 28 September for the period of three months. The Pededze border crossing point will be closed.

“The current situation on the border between Latvia and Russia is stable and calm, it is under strict control. However, following the mobilisation declared in Russia, the number of Russians wishing to leave their country has risen considerably. Thus, there is a risk of a sharp increase of illegal migrants on the Latvian-Russian border. The goal of the emergency measures is to prepare for it in advance,” the message says.

Earlier, the Polish foreign ministry recommended its citizens to refrain from travelling to Russia. It also advised the Polish citizens who are currently in Russia to leave the country. There is no direct travel route to and from Russia, and it will be hard to provide aid to Polish citizens due to the reduced number of Polish diplomats in the country, the ministry noted. The Bulgarian foreign ministry made the same recommendation to its citizens due to a “complicated situation”.