---
title: "Latvia changes maps: how and at whose expense signs pointing to Russia and Belarus are disappearing"
description: "Latvia plans to completely remove road signs pointing to cities in Russia and Belarus by September 30. 🇱🇻🇷🇺 A total of 235 signs will be replaced on major highways and in Riga. The budget for the operation will be around 120,000 euros, but authorities promise not to ask for additional money from the state budget. 🛣️"
date: 2026-07-27T02:26:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/latvia-changes-road-signs-pointing-to-russia-and-belarus
tags: [latvia, rihards-kozlovskis, russia, belarus, infrastructure]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Latvia changes maps: how and at whose expense signs pointing to Russia and Belarus are disappearing

![Official unveiling of an updated road sign in Latvia indicating directions to Pskov (RUS) and Pleskava, symbolizing changes in navigation and geopolitical context](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/27/latviya-menyayet-dorozhnye-ukazateli-na-rossiyu-i-belarus/latviya-menyayet-dorozhnye-ukazateli-na-rossiyu-i-belarus-1.webp)

A large-scale campaign to update road navigation has launched in Latvia. The country's Ministry of Transport has announced a plan to gradually replace road signs featuring the names of settlements in the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus. This decision is part of a broader process of modernizing the road infrastructure.

### Plan and deadlines: by September 30

Minister of Transport Rihards Kozlovskis commented on the situation, noting that a complete replacement of all signs is not a critical necessity requiring emergency measures. Nevertheless, an action plan has been prepared and approved. It is expected that by September 30, the country will be completely free of signs informing drivers of directions to the Russian Federation and Belarus.

The replacement process will not take place in a rush but will be synchronized with scheduled repair works and updates to the road network. This approach will help avoid sharp spikes in costs and logistical difficulties.

### Geography of changes: where are signs being changed?

According to the state enterprise "Latvijas Valsts ceļi" (Latvian State Roads), 235 road signs and information boards containing the names of Russian and Belarusian cities were identified on the country's routes.

The main concentration of such signs is on the country's key highways. In particular, changes will affect the following directions:

- Vidzeme direction;

- Daugavpils direction;

- Bauska direction;

- Elga direction.

A significant portion of the signs subject to replacement is located in major cities. It is separately noted that 78 such signs are installed in the Riga municipality, making the capital one of the main points for navigation updates.

### Economics of the issue: 120,000 euros without additional funding

The Ministry of Transport of Latvia has already calculated the budgetary consequences of this initiative. The complete replacement of signs with the names of Russian and Belarusian settlements, as well as partial correction of main signs, will cost approximately 120,000 euros including VAT.

An important aspect is that the ministry does not plan to request additional funding from the state budget. All work must be carried out using already available funds allocated for current activities and road maintenance.

### Technical nuances: why can't they just be painted over?

The Ministry of Transport report considered various options for implementing the plan. One of them was partial correction of inscriptions on existing signs — for example, painting over or covering specific names.

However, experts concluded that such an approach carries technical risks. Partially covering elements of a sign may compromise the integrity of the reflective coating. This would lead to a deterioration in the quality of sign visibility at night and negatively affect their visibility to drivers, which is unacceptable from a road safety perspective.

Therefore, Latvian authorities deemed a comprehensive update of signs more expedient. Replacement will only be carried out when possible within the framework of scheduled repairs or when replacing outdated structures, which guarantees the preservation of safety standards.