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Latvia, a former Soviet republic and now a member of NATO and the European Union, has a 214-kilometre border with Russia, and has been one of Ukraine’s most reliable supporters since Russia’s invasion.

“We call on everyone during the big clean-up, but also afterwards, to ensure that your cellars and your basements can be used as shelters in case of emergencies,” said Vilnis Kirsis, mayor of the capital Riga.

He said in a communique that municipal employees would do the same for buildings belonging to the city.

Gints Reinsons, head of a Riga civil defence commission, said “the basements of public buildings, schools, retirement homes, hospitals, and town halls will be inspected by the authorities who will prepare them to serve as hiding places in the event of an attack.”