On Wednesday, Russia is conducting a nationwide test of its emergency alert systems, during which sirens will sound and television broadcasts will be interrupted to warn the public of an imminent threat. This test, first conducted in 2020, is part of a new initiative requiring authorities to perform tests twice a year starting September 1. However, this test occurs amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has triggered the deepest crisis in relations between Russia and the West since the Cuban missile crisis in 1962.
The test will begin at 10:43 a.m. Moscow time (07:43 GMT), when sirens will blare and strict announcements will call for "everyone's attention!" simulating what might occur in the event of a real disaster. The Ministry of Emergency Situations stated, "When you hear the alarm siren, you must remain calm and not panic, and turn on the television on any available public channel or radio, and listen to the announcement." It added, "The warning system is designed to instantly communicate signals to the population in case of any danger or emergency, whether natural or man-made."
The United States will also conduct a large-scale test of its alert systems today through mobile phones and television and radio stations. The Federal Emergency Management Agency stated that the purpose of the American test is to ensure that the systems "remain effective in alerting the public to emergencies, especially at the national level." Many other countries have conducted similar tests of crisis and disaster alert systems in recent years.
