The authorities of Latvia, a Baltic country neighboring Russia, called on citizens to transform their cellars into air-raid shelters on Saturday April 27, 2024, on the occasion of the country’s traditional national clean-up day.
A former republic of the Soviet Union, Latvia, now a member of NATO and the EU, shares a 214 km border with Russia, raising fears in Riga that the country could be among the first targets of Moscow in the event of victory in Ukraine.
“We urge everyone, during the big clean-up, but also afterwards, to ensure that your cellars and basements can serve as shelters in the event of an emergency”called Riga Mayor Vilnis Kirsis.
During this time, “municipal employees will take care of city-owned basements”he assured in a press release.
For his part, Gints Reinsons, the head of a civil defense commission in the Latvian capital, indicated that “the cellars of public buildings, schools, retirement homes, hospitals and town halls will be inspected by the authorities who will prepare them for hiding in the event of an attack”.
“We intend to prepare around 100 bomb shelters every month until the end of the year” he told the channel TV24.
In March, the Prime Minister of Latvia, Evika Silina, warned against the unpredictable actions of Russia, which she compared in this context to “an alcoholic or drug addict”.
Italy summons Russian ambassador
Italy summoned the Russian ambassador on Saturday after Moscow announced that it would bring the Ariston Thermo Group subsidiary under the “temporary control” of the Russian public energy giant Gazprom, a fate also suffered by a subsidiary of the German Bosch, announced the head of Italian diplomacy Antonio Tajani.
For his part, a spokesperson for the European Union condemned this measure “which is further proof of Russia’s contempt for international law and rules”calling on Moscow to reverse its decision.
In Rome, “ the government demands clarification regarding the nationalization of Ariston Thermo Group »an Italian company specializing in heating and hot water production equipment, had previously reacted to Mr. Tajani on the social network
“(We) also work with Brussels, in liaison with Germany”while Bosch was also targeted, he added.
Berlin, which condemns Moscow’s decision, “reserves the right to react in close coordination with Italy”sources close to the German Foreign Ministry also told AFP.
465,000 Russian soldiers killed
The Ukrainian General Staff has published its regular assessment of the losses suffered by Russian troops since the invasion of the country on February 24, 2022.
According to kyiv, the Kremlin forces have reached a terrible milestone and recorded the loss of 465,024 soldiers, an increase of 1,124 deaths in the space of twenty-four hours, as well as 16,019 tankers and supply vehicles (+35 ), but also 13,971 armored vehicles (+14), 11,905 artillery pieces (+38) or even 9,485 drones (+24) and 7,268 assault tanks (+6).
The regular publication of these figures, which could not be verified, is part of the Ukrainian communications strategy intended to undermine the morale of Moscow’s troops.
