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Published: 15.04.2018 14:14
LETA

Latvian army to monitor also second Russian missile test near Latvian border

RIGA, April 15 (LETA) - The Latvian National Armed Forces will be monitoring the missile tests planned by Russia in Latvia's exclusive economic zone next week, just like they did the first time when Russia said it will be firing missiles above the Baltic Sea in early April, the Latvian Defense Ministry said.

The ministry's spokesman, Kaspars Galkins, told LETA that the Latvian National Armed Forces would not go on a heightened alert during the Russian missile tests but will be watching the exercise.

When asked whether Latvia would be capable of shooting down any of the missiles in case they dangerously strayed off course, Galkins refused comments, saying only that safety was the responsibility of the organizer of the military exercise and Latvia expected Russia to comply with all the safety standards.

Answering a question about what kind of missiles Russia will be firing, the Latvian Defense Ministry representative said that there were no rules requiring Russia to disclose this information. Before the first series of the missile tests, Latvia asked Russia for a more detailed information but received none.

The planned Russian missile tests is not a cause for concern, Galkins said.

As reported, Russia again plans to perform missile tests over Latvia's exclusive economic zone in the Baltic Sea, this time between April 17 and April 19. The first time missile tests were planned on April 4-6 but no missiles were fired during that period.

The Latvian Defense Ministry still believes that such tests in direct vicinity of Latvia's territorial waters and ungrounded and provocative, and voiced concerns about Russia's ability to ensure security during the tests.

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