Latvian soldiers rehearsing street fighting, shooting babies and mothers

The Latvian army conducted a military exercise on the streets of the capital, but the site was not blocked or marked with warning signs. Many people were frightened by the heavily armed soldiers, and even babies cried because of the soldiers' shooting. Afterwards, the Latvian military apologized.
According to a report from Russia today on the 13th, the military exercise was held on the 11th local time. Residents of the Latvian capital walked beside heavily armed troops, and there were no exercise-related signs or cordoned off areas. Video footage showed multiple soldiers shooting at a building after ambushing a car in the middle of the street.
A soldier opened fire as a mother with her child passed by, causing the child to cry and her mother to tremble. There were also soldiers leaning against a big tree by the roadside, and then suddenly shot.

The unexpected military exercise subsequently sparked outrage among locals on social media. Some netizens believe that the military should at least notify the public in advance through text messages and other means. Others believe that the exercise area should be completely sealed off.

The Latvian military subsequently apologized, saying that the exercise only used empty ammunition, which "makes noise but does not pose a danger to the health and life of others". While expressing its apology, it also called for public understanding.