Lithuania fortifies border with the Kaliningrad region with mines and dragon’s teeth

7 September, 2024 A fortified part of the border with the Kaliningrad region of Russia. Photo credits: Lithuanian Ministry of Defense Lithuania has fortified part of the border with the Kaliningrad region with mines and concrete barriers in the shape of "dragon's teeth."

The Ministry of Defense of Lithuania reported on this. The border was reinforced at the Panemune bridge, which connects Lithuania and the Kaliningrad region of the Russian Federation. According to the Ministry of Defense, this step is aimed at strengthening the country's defense in case of Russia's attempts to conduct sabotage activities, as well as at detaining troops in the event of a full-scale offensive.

Lithuanian Defense Minister Laurynas Kasciunas.

Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Lithuania

Strengthening the border is a state program to enhance defense capabilities. This year, no more than EUR3 million was allocated from the budget of the Ministry of Defense to implement the measures. Starting in 2025, the Lithuanian Defense Fund will be used for these measures.

It was also reported that in the near future, backup barriers were planned to be installed on Lithuanian national roads and on the approaches to bridges. The border with Belarus is also being reinforced. Lithuanian Defense Minister Laurynas Kasciunas announces the opening of the first section of the fence in the border area.

A fortified part of the border with the Kaliningrad region of Russia.

Photo credits: Lithuanian Ministry of Defense

The minister said that there would be 27 such sites in total. He noted that "they will be created almost every week." According to him, various types of barriers will be set up in these areas, including dragon's teeth and anti-tank hedgehogs and other concrete barriers that will make it impossible to move vehicles if necessary.

Militarnyi previously reported that Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia had called on the European Union to build a defense line along the bloc's border with Russia and Belarus.

Some EU diplomats estimated the cost of building such a defensive line on the ground along the 700 km EU border with Russia and Belarus to be around EUR2.5 billion.