Latvia begins building defence line along borders with Russia, Belarus

Latvia has begun building a line of fortifications along its borders with Russia and Belarus.

The project, known as the “Baltic Defence Line,” is being jointly implemented by Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The fortification system includes bunkers, anti-tank trenches and barriers, minefields, as well as surveillance and communications systems, Caliber.Az reports via Latvian news portal Press LV.

Under a delegation from the Ministry of Defence, construction work on the first phase of infrastructure for the counter-mobility capabilities of the Baltic Defence Line began this week on Latvia’s eastern border in Balvi Municipality, the report added.

Workers will build around 27 kilometres of anti-tank trenches and install anti-tank “dragon’s teeth, according to the publication.

The first phase of the project is expected to cost approximately €13 million, with the funding coming from Latvia’s Ministry of Defence budget. The infrastructure will be developed gradually, with the construction schedule extending through autumn 2027.

By Jeyhun Aghazada