Lithuania approves border fortifications against Russia and Belarus

The Lithuanian government has approved an extensive defensive plan to fortify its borders with the Russian Kaliningrad region and Belarus. The strategy involves creating a wide anti-mobility zone, with trenches up to 20 meters wide and operational zones reaching up to 150 meters in depth. These engineering works are expected to be completed by the end of 2028 at an estimated cost of 50 million euros.

Beyond physical barriers like concrete dragon's teeth and fences, the plan utilizes natural terrain. Lithuania intends to restore wetlands along the border to create impassable terrain for heavy military vehicles, a process slated for completion by 2030. Additionally, the government will update construction regulations so that new or reconstructed bridges include built-in points for explosives to facilitate rapid demolition if necessary during a conflict.

This initiative is part of the broader Baltic Defense Line, a joint project with Estonia and Latvia launched in 2024 to secure approximately 950km of shared borders with Russia and Belarus. The system is designed as a multi-layered network of anti-tank ditches, bunkers, and prepared demolition sites intended to slow enemy advances and channel them into kill zones.