Baltic countries spend 55 million euros to build fortifications on border with Russia
(Baonghean.vn) - Der Spiegel quoted the statement of the Defense Ministers of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania saying that the Baltic governments decided to strengthen the protection of their borders with Russia and Belarus. Construction of this defense system will begin in 2025.
According to RT news agency on January 21, Der Spiegel (Germany) reported that the Baltic countries are preparing to build a defense system, bunkers and tunnels, starting in 2025. More than 55 million Euros have been allocated for this project. Along with that, there will be a warehouse with barbed wire, mines and anti-tank concrete blocks that will always be on "red alert", in case of conflict escalation.
Due to their geographical proximity to their “big neighbors,” Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia feel most vulnerable to possible attacks. Furthermore, these countries are located on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, which would make it difficult for NATO to protect them.
"The conflict in Ukraine has shown that in order to protect Estonia from the very first meter of its territory, along with equipment, ammunition and manpower, defense structures are also needed," the Estonian Defense Minister stressed.
Agreeing with this point of view, Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds stressed that the defense line is necessary, first of all, to warn Russia, and also to start protecting the alliance's territory, from the very first centimeter.
The value of strong defensive lines became clearer after Ukraine's counteroffensive last year failed against a multi-layered fortification barrier that included trenches, anti-tank ditches, "dragon teeth" obstacles and thousands of mines.
