Latvia latest country to call on citizens to leave Russia amid warning of possible 'terrorist attacks'

LONDON

Latvia’s Foreign Ministry on Friday urged its citizens to leave Russia as soon as possible after the US Embassy in Moscow issued a warning about possible terrorist attacks in the next 48 hours.

“We urge Latvian citizens in Russia to be cautious and avoid mass gatherings due to possible terrorist attacks in Moscow within the next 48 hours,” the ministry said in a statement.

On Thursday, the US Embassy said that it was monitoring reports that “extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow.

“U.S. citizens should be advised to avoid large gatherings over the next 48 hours,” the embassy said in a press release.

Following the warning, the UK issued a similar warning recommending that UK citizens refrain from traveling to Russia citing the risks and terrorist threats.

The British Foreign Office advised against all travel to Russia.

Germany urged German citizens and those with dual citizenship not to travel to Russia in the near future, while also stating on the government’s website that the German Embassy in Moscow and the Consulate General in St. Petersburg will be closed on March 8, 2024.

Estonia has also asked its citizens on Friday to "be more attentive than usual" and to avoid public gatherings "due to the threat of terrorism."

So far, the Kremlin has not issued any official statement regarding the alleged “terrorist threats” in Moscow.