Baltic nations boost defenses: New border fortifications
Work on the Estonian section of the Baltic Defence Line – an initiative to fortify the borders of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania against Russia and Belarus – has already begun, Kristjan Halg, spokesperson for the Estonian Defence Forces, confirmed to EFE.
According to Agerpres, the digging of an anti-tank trench designed to hinder the movement of tanks and other military vehicles began on Thursday along Estonia's southeastern border with Russia. Public broadcaster ERR reported this on its online portal.
By year-end, this border area is expected to include up to 28 bunkers and ten storage areas.
Currently, the initial phase involves digging four kilometers of border trench, according to ERR. This first trench is on government-owned land, but private land might be required later.
Similar work is also underway in Latvia, involving "counter-mobility measures" such as steel and concrete obstacles, and minefields. These minefields would be implemented once the three Baltic countries complete the process of withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention, which prohibits anti-personnel mines.
On June 17, the Latvian government introduced a bill to accelerate and simplify construction and land acquisition activities along its borders with Russia and Belarus, aiming to build defense points and border fortifications.
The new law will enable the Latvian armed forces to continue their border enforcement efforts more quickly and efficiently, by reducing legal and bureaucratic restrictions, Defence Minister Andris Spruds stated.
The bill was proposed and supported by the Latvian government exactly 85 years after the Soviet army occupied Latvia on June 17, 1940, with no resistance from the Latvian armed forces.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
