Not only because of Russia: how and why Latvia plans to strengthen the border

The Baltic countries are actively patrolling and strengthening the border, in the photo – Lithuanian border guards near Belarus/Getty Images, illustrative photo

Latvia, like other Baltic countries, it is building bunkers on its borders. This should protect the country from Russia and Belarus.

Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds said that border protection is an “important task” for all front-line troops countries He confirmed that the Baltic countries have plans to strengthen their own borders against attacks from Russia and Belarus. Sprudes announced this upon arrival at a meeting of defense ministers at NATO headquarters, reports the correspondent of 24 Channel in Brussels.

What exactly will Latvia do to protect its border

The Latvian head of the Ministry of Defense says that his country has signed an agreement with its Lithuanian-Estonian colleagues to coordinate activities to strengthen its defense lines. He added that each country, of course, has its own specific plans.

Of course, the border with Russia, as well as the border with Belarus, should be strengthened. We have already built a fence to protect our border in the country from the flow of illegal migration. But at the same time, of course, military countermobility is part of border strengthening,” the minister said.

Estonia has already begun to build bunkers on border: what does it give

• To stop a potential Russian offensive, Estonia will build 600 bunkers. The Ministry of Defense promised that this will not affect the landscape in any way, and in peacetime the structures can be used as a cellar for potatoes.
• Bunkers should be built in the Ida-Virumaa region and the south -east of Estonia. Some will also appear near Lake Peipus, because it is through this body of water that Estonia’s border with Russia passes. and will enable the allies to come to the rescue.
• The structures will be well equipped – they must withstand a direct hit from a 152 mm caliber projectile. Therefore, the Estonian military will be protected from enemy fire and shell debris. Each bunker is designed for ten soldiers, and there is also a sleeping place.
• Of course, it is impossible to hold off the enemy army with the bunkers themselves. Therefore, if Russia attacks NATO, the military will deploy “dragon teeth” (tank barriers), mines and barbed wire fences, that is, more serious protection.