The nationwide exercises run from September 2 to October 8 across Latvia, involving approximately 12,000 Latvian and allied soldiers and members of the National Guard.
Military Activities and Traffic Restrictions Across Rīga Neighborhoods
During the active phase, residents will see the movement of military personnel and vehicles, temporary checkpoints, and anti-mobility obstacles, alongside drone and military aircraft flights. According to the Rīga City Council, all visible military activities are pre-planned training elements that are not connected to any real threat. Intensified training activities are scheduled in several neighborhoods, including Pētersalas-Andrejsalas, Brasas, Čiekurkalna, Teikas, Mežciema, Torņakalna, Ziepniekkalna, Bolderājas, Daugavgrīvas, and Salas. Tasks will unfold across urban spaces as well as within specific state, municipal, and critical infrastructure locations, involving the National Armed Forces, the National Guard, allied troops, the State Police, the Rīga Municipal Police, municipal institutions, and capital companies.
At Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital (PSKUS), soldiers, members of the National Guard, and military equipment will be visible in and around the hospital grounds. The hospital emphasizes that these are pre-planned exercises and that medical treatment processes and patient care will not be interrupted, with healthcare services continuing as usual. While short-term movement restrictions are possible in certain parts of the hospital territory, the institution’s involvement is part of the comprehensive national defense system. According to PSKUS, photographing and filming the training inside its territory is strictly prohibited.
Did You Know? The nationwide defense exercise “Namejs 2026” spans from September 2 to October 8 across Latvia, bringing together approximately 12,000 Latvian and allied soldiers and members of the National Guard.
Civil-Military Cooperation and Public Guidance
The primary aim of “Namejs 2026” is to test and improve the ability of the National Armed Forces, allies, state, and municipal institutions to act in a coordinated manner during a national threat. The exercises place special emphasis on civil-military cooperation, the continuity of critical services, the operation of the civil defense system, and responses to hybrid threats. The Rīga municipality urges residents to follow information strictly through official Rīga municipality and National Armed Forces channels and to avoid relying on unverified information found on social networks.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The hospital has emphasized that medical treatment and patient care will not be interrupted, and healthcare services will be provided in their usual order.
Are the military movements in Rīga related to a real security threat?
No. According to the Rīga City Council, all military activities visible in the city are pre-planned training elements and bear no connection to any real threat.
Where will the most intensive training tasks take place in the capital?
Intensified activities are scheduled in the Pētersalas-Andrejsalas, Brasas, Čiekurkalna, Teikas, Mežciema, Torņakalna, Ziepniekkalna, Bolderājas, Daugavgrīvas, and Salas neighborhoods.
How will your daily routine in Rīga be affected by the temporary movement restrictions and checkpoints during the active phase of the exercises?
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