European Security Concerns

Of course if this is true there are any number of agencies watching and assessing the “situation”. People that know such things will not have esoteric discussions here on the RS forums.

Makes me want to pull out “The Guns of August “ and give a read..

I just spent a few weeks in the Baltics. There is no question that there is concern about possible Russian aggression there. I (and everyone around me) received a very loud blaring emergency alert one afternoon on our phones in Vilnius. It was accompanied by a text that told of possible drone incursion and to shelter. I asked the store clerk what I should do and she said to just keep moving around as normal. I looked around and that is what others were doing. Soon NATO fighter jets were overhead. About 20 minutes later another emergency tone on my phone and an all clear was sounded. This time it turned out to be a flock of birds. A few days later there was a drone and NATO intercepted it.

I am planning an autumn 2027 trip with the normal degree of flexibility.

I try and keep up with the security situation as best as I can. It seems likely that we will see at least a sustained period of low-intensity warfare, including cyber-attacks on infrastructure, election interference, and "suspected" drone activity. Anything more than that would impact more of our lives than our vacation plans. As long as the airlines continue normal operations I don't see recreational travel being impacted. There are always people who react negatively to any uncertainty.

@Carol n r, That would be frightening!

Can’t say I have been overly concerned in our travels, more concerned with issues Stan brought up. It reminds me to seize the day and postpone nothing.

Lithuania has announced evacuation plans due to Russian threats:

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/lithuania-ready-fight-back-evacuation-011009735.html?

The US has announced it is sending a new rotation of troops to Lithuania:

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/new-group-us-troops-on-its-way-lithuania-says-lithuanian-president-2026-09-22/

I am supposed to be back in the Baltics next month. That should be fun.

In France, leadership had been concerned about an attack a couple of years from now.
But it makes sense that Russian would test the US to see if it defends NATO despite the current government following the spheres of influence policy as promoted by Russia. Adherence to spheres of influence was stated clearly in the US's UN speech yesterday.

But anyone who reads to the end of this article will see other leaders saying not to get excited, or it's a bunch of social media bait.

Part 2 of the 12 week trip this time included going back to Germany for 4 nights ie, having 3 full days in Potsdam. While there all of Germany had a general alert timed to go off at 11 AM on either 9 or 10 Sept, don't recall exactly without checking the trip notes.

I wasn't caught unawares by this since news of "alert" was being announced on German TV and informational signs to that effect could be seen in Potsdam Hbf and the adjoining mall.

My phone had also given warning of this event at 11 AM. The word used in German indicated that the purpose the alert was intended to be a "practice warning."

On the trips I follow the news in France and Germany almost daily., either watching the TV or following the various newspaper headlines. There is no Plan B as such on my trips.

Carol now retired, when i checked into my hotel in Kyiv the first thing I did was confirm the water to the shelter. I was certain I was ready for what I knew would happen each evening, I was confident and well prepared having spent a lot of time with Ukrainians who were living it and getting advice and reassurance. Then the first alarm went off and I instantly felt something deep inside I cant not describe. Not exactly fear but dark and horrible. I went through a number of alerts on that trip and it never got easier. But I would go back tomorrow if I could.

A month ago, more or less, I went to Western Ukraine for a few days. There are very few alerts in the West, but we got two one evening as i sat in Egans Irish Pub. The waitress maybe saw the look on my face and asked, do you want another beer? No one in the pub reacted at all.

I am not looking forward to that lifestyle, but am afraid it may be coming.

Governments across Europe are advising citizens to keep emergency food supplies, torches etc in their homes. I don’t think anyone is taking any notice of this advice from what I can tell. Here in the UK it was framed as preparing for adverse weather but governments elsewhere have stated other risks.

There are still issues with fuel supplies as well. So definitely potential risks to travel plans on the horizon. But what can we do. We just carry on.

I am certain everyone knows this, but ... https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSFhSlzqsDLIjvXH6Kdd2dou80E4HeysvpCWONQBfT2RPUs-zXl0Irw2b8O&s=10

Perhaps it's time to bring back "duck and cover?"

One of my friends is a BA flight attendant, so when I get on a plane I ask if there's anything to be aware of, or any special warnings about my route. So it's more than curiosity, but much less than worry.

I wanted to ask if people have signed up for these warnings on their phones or if it's automatic? In CA I'm signed up, but in Sweden we're automatically on the list.

I did not sign up for any alerts. I believe they are sent to all phones active in the area of concern.

Perhaps it's time to bring back "duck and cover?"

Frank: you are dating yourself. The problem is I know exactly what you mean. Did it in elementary school a long time ago!

Carol now retired the Ukrainians developed a phone app. You select your region in Ukraine and then the phone will come on with an ear-piercing siren when there is incoming in your region. Then a voice will warn you. Then you can do a few clicks on the phone for directions to the nearest shelter. When the alarm is over the phone will announce that too. In Uzhhorod sitting in the pub, first we heard the sirens on the poles around town, then the phone apps popped on. I turn on the app every once in a while, set it to Kyiv or Odesa just to remind me of how lucky I am.

The way things are going we will all be carrying a similar app in all of Europe soon. And there are those that want to visit the source of al of this? More surprising is that there are those helping.

I live in Vienna. I just spend a week in the US. I feel much safer here in Vienna and do not feel that I need a Plan B.

The AI robots are clearly going to kill us all anyway.

Maybe hang on to that bomb shelter basement a little while longer? (That’s a not very funny joke.)

I don’t try to stay up with all the news but I do follow some and am planning lots of 2027 travel with no remorse. In 2028 (or sooner), it could become impractical or so expensive I can’t afford it (and I am very fortunate). Plan B, at some level, is always a good idea.

Thanks, Carol.

RE: phone sign up and alerts

I have signed up for nothing on my phone regarding overseas travel alerts. Still, I received notification of the impending alert at 11 AM a couple of minutes prior on the phone.