From 16 to 20 September, the active phase of the comprehensive national defence exercise ‘Namejs 2026’ will take place in Riga and the surrounding area. During this period, there will be an increased presence and movement of Latvian and allied troops, members of the National Guard, and military vehicles throughout the city; exercise checkpoints and counter-mobility obstacles will be set up at designated locations; flights of unmanned aerial vehicles and military aircraft will take place, and possible short-term restrictions on traffic and movement may occur. All military activities visible in the city during the exercise are pre-planned elements of the exercise and do not pose a real threat.
“Over the next few days, soldiers, military vehicles, checkpoints, and other training activities will be visible in Riga, so I urge residents to be understanding regarding any temporary restrictions and increased noise levels. Such exercise is necessary to ensure that the state, local government and public services are prepared to act together in the event of a real threat. As a member of the National Guard, I too will be taking part in ‘Namejs 2026’, so I see the significance of this exercise not only from the local government’s perspective, but also from the practical point of view of national defence,” emphasises Edvards Ratnieks, Riga’s Deputy Mayor responsible for security.
During the exercise, soldiers and members of the National Guard will be moving around various locations in Riga at different times of the day and night. More intensive activities of the exercise are planned in the neighbourhoods of Pētersala–Andrejsala, Brasa, Čiekurkalns, Teika, Mežciems, Torņakalns, Ziepniekkalns, Bolderāja, Daugavgrīva and Sala.
The exercise tasks will take place both in urban areas and on the premises of designated state, local government, and critical infrastructure sites. These will involve the National Armed Forces, the National Guard, and soldiers from allied nations, as well as the State Police, the Riga Municipal Police, municipal institutions and municipal companies.
A training counter-mobility point will be established in Jaunā Teika
On the evening of 16 September, the deployment of training counter-mobility and checkpoint elements will begin in Jaunā Teika, in the vicinity of 6 Ropažu Street. Works are scheduled to begin at around 20:00.
The aim of counter-mobility measures in military exercises is to train the ability to control and, where necessary, restrict the movement of vehicles using various obstacles and checkpoints.
Residents should be aware that soldiers, military vehicles, and exercise obstacles will be visible in the vicinity of Jaunā Teika. If necessary, temporary movement or traffic restrictions may be implemented in certain locations.
Counter-mobility and facility protection exercises will also take place in Daugavgrīva
On 18 September, exercise activities will also take place at the biological treatment plant “Daugavgrīva” of SIA “Rīgas ūdens” at 60 Dzintaru Street. It is intended to practise the protection of critical infrastructure, including through the use of training counter-mobility elements and the involvement of soldiers and the National Guard personnel.
The most intensive part of the exercise is scheduled to take place in the morning. Residents of the Bolderāja and Daugavgrīva areas should expect an increased presence of military personnel and military vehicles during this period.
Exercise-related noise will be audible in certain locations
During specific exercise scenarios in daylight hours, training simulation munitions will be used, resulting in possible brief periods of increased noise. Noisy exercise scenarios are not scheduled to take place at night to avoid disturbing residents' sleep and rest.
During the exercise in Riga, flights of unmanned aerial vehicles and the movement of military transport and armoured vehicles are also planned. Residents are asked not to be alarmed if they see soldiers in combat gear, military vehicles, obstacles or other training elements in urban areas.
On the night of 19 September, a checkpoint will be established on the Salu Bridge
On the night of 19 September, exercise activities will also take place on the Salu Bridge. From 22:00 on 18 September until 07:00 on 19 September, the deployment and operation of checkpoints will be practised in cooperation with the State Police.
During this time, drivers should expect possible traffic delays and temporary traffic restrictions. Road users are asked to follow police instructions.
Practical civil evacuation exercises will take place
Practical civil evacuation exercises will also take place in Riga on 18 and 19 September. On Friday, 18 September, from 15:45 to 16:00, participants will gather on Aleksandra Grīna Boulevard near Uzvaras Park and will then be taken by buses to Riga Arkādija Secondary School at 6 Melnsila Street, where a exercise evacuation centre will have been set up.
During the exercise, the assembly, transportation, registration, and reception of residents at the evacuation centre, as well as the coordination between the services and institutions involved will be tested. The exercise is scheduled to end on the morning of 19 September.
A helicopter will land in Uzvaras Park
A medical evacuation exercise involving a helicopter is scheduled to take place in Uzvaras Park on 19 September. The helicopter will use the officially approved landing site in the park, and the respective area will be temporarily cordoned off during the exercise for safety reasons.
During the exercise, other checkpoints, obstacles, and military exercise elements may also be set up at various locations in Riga. Residents and drivers are asked to be understanding regarding temporary movement or traffic restrictions and to follow the instructions of the State Police, the Riga Municipal Police, and persons involved in the exercise.
The aim of ‘Namejs 2026’ is to test and improve the ability of the National Armed Forces, allies, and state and local government institutions to act in a coordinated manner in the event of a threat to the state. The exercise places particular emphasis on civil-military cooperation, the continuity of critical services, the functioning of the civil protection system, and response to hybrid threats.
Riga City Council urges residents to follow updates from the official information channels of the Riga City Council and the National Armed Forces during the exercise, and not to rely on unverified information on social media.
Information was prepared by Mārtiņš Vilemsons, Project Coordinator at External Communication Division of Riga City Council Communication Department, e-mail: martins.vilemsons@riga.lv.