Latvia has urged its citizens to convert their basements into air raid shelters amid fears that the Baltics could be Vladimir Putin’s next target.

Vilnis Kirsis, the mayor of Riga, the capital, said: “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.”

In a private communique to city officials, Mr Kirsis said government buildings in the city would also have their underground spaces turned into shelters.

Latvia, a member of both Nato and the European Union, shares a 132-mile border with Russia, and has warned of an increasing threat of attack from Moscow since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

‘Hiding places in event of attack’

The head of Riga’s civil defence commission has told local broadcasters that 100 shelters would be prepared every month until the end of the year.

Speaking to TV24, Gints Reinsons 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.”

Nato generals believe any Russian attack on Nato, the Western military alliance, could start with air strikes on the former Soviet republics in the Baltics. Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia are considered among the most likely targets.

Earlier this year, Margus Tsahkna, Estonia’s foreign minister, said the Baltics had three to four years to strengthen their defences for a Russian “test” of Nato.

In January, the three Baltic defence ministries agreed to construct a special defence zone on their borders with Russia and Belarus. 

Estonia will construct at least 600 bunkers in early 2025, as well as double the size of its volunteer territorial defence force. Latvia reintroduced conscription last year as part of plans to swell its armed forces to 61,000 troops in the next eight years.

Germany has promised to have a combat-ready brigade of 4,800 troops stationed permanently in Lithuania to guard against a potential Russian strike.