Russia conducts scheduled test of public warning systems

Russia's Emergencies Ministry reported a scheduled public warning-system test on October 9. Specialists checked equipment and communications channels used to transmit alerts about potential emergencies.

The test involved electric sirens and loudspeakers. Programming on publicly available television and radio stations was temporarily replaced with information messages. The exercise therefore checked different ways of delivering warnings to residents.

Originally scheduled for October 7, the nationwide test was moved to October 9 by a decision of Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. The ministry confirmed the test in a statement to RBC, while regional emergency authorities also reported its implementation.

The previous nationwide test took place on March 4. Cities then activated sirens and loudspeakers and transmitted the Attention Everyone signal through television, radio and the Emergencies Ministry's mobile application.

The ministry advises people hearing a siren to remain calm, turn on a publicly available television channel or radio station and listen to the message. The sound draws attention to the information transmitted afterwards.