Lithuania is strengthening its defense along the borders with Russia and Belarus, placing engineering structures on border bridges to secure explosive charges.
Media reports indicate preparations to establish the Baltic Line of Defense and strengthen the borders.
According to the military, the bridge-mining works are among the border-strengthening measures agreed in July last year.
«Bridges and roads are chosen taking into account the location of natural obstacles and their strategic importance in Lithuania’s defense system»
– the military
Context and implications of the Baltic defense line
The armed forces have already created dozens of facilities near the border for storing anti-tank obstacles and other barriers. Work is also underway to plant trees to protect key roads and to develop irrigation ditches, which will serve as trench-like and additional anti-tank barriers.
In the event of an armed conflict, bridges near the border could be blown up to block the movement of military forces.
«I urge all European states to become more Finnish. In other words, to be more prepared. We must prepare for the worst to avoid this»
– Alexander Stubb
It is also known that Lithuania officially withdrew from the Ottawa Convention banning antipersonnel mines.
In the context of Baltic defense, Estonia at the start of the month began installing the first of 600 concrete bunkers along its southeastern border with Russia as part of a joint Baltic project.
Thus, the Baltic defense line brings together a range of engineering solutions and defensive facilities to increase the region’s readiness and resilience to potential threats, while simultaneously strengthening security in Eastern Europe.