Lithuania Fortifies Borders With Belarus and Russia With New Defensive Zones and Barriers — UNITED24 Media
Lithuania’s government has approved a package of measures to strengthen border defenses, including the creation of counter-mobility zones, the restoration of wetlands, and the installation of engineering barriers at key infrastructure.
The announcement was made by Lithuanian Deputy Defense Minister Tomas Mickelkevičius on August 12.
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Under the plan, Lithuania will establish designated areas for military counter-mobility engineering measures. A 20-meter-wide strip will be created along the borders with Belarus and Russia’s Kaliningrad region, while the designated areas in operational zones identified by the Lithuanian Armed Forces will extend up to 150 meters. The measure is expected to be completed by the end of 2028.
The plan also calls for restoring wetlands in areas where natural terrain could serve as a barrier to advancing heavy military equipment. Once their hydrological systems are restored, the areas could remain difficult for heavy vehicles to cross without specialized engineering equipment for several years. The work is expected to be completed by the end of 2030.
The measures extend to critical infrastructure. Reserve barriers are being installed along sections of national roads and at bridge supports identified by the Lithuanian military, while bridges will be equipped with structures that can accommodate explosives if their destruction becomes necessary during a conflict.
Lithuania also plans to amend its bridge-design regulations by the end of this year. New and reconstructed bridges would have to include designated points for attaching explosives and structural features that would facilitate their demolition in a military emergency.
The government is further updating plans for restoring drainage ditches and regulating waterways, adding another layer of obstacles that could slow or restrict the movement of potential enemy forces.
The measures come as Lithuania continues to face security concerns along its border with Belarus. Lithuanian border guards recently discovered an unfinished underground tunnel near the village of Latežeris in Druskininkai municipality.
The passage had been dug from Belarus beneath the border fence and was about 4 meters long and 1.5 meters deep.
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