Latvia to complete construction of fence on the border with Belarus in July

30 June, 2024 Construction of a fence in Latvia on the border with Belarus. Photo from the media Latvia intends to complete the construction of the fence on the border with Belarus by the end of July.

Delfi reported on this. This year, the work along the water bodies and infrastructure along the entire section of the interstate border continued intensively and is now in its final stage. In the next month, less than six kilometers of fencing along the territorial waters remain to be built.

The necessary infrastructure is currently being built on the land areas where the barriers have already been constructed. As part of the first stage, 21.94 kilometers of patrol lanes for passenger vehicles and pedestrian bridges have been built. The construction of 1.75 kilometers of pontoon patrol lines has also been completed.

Construction of a fence in Latvia on the border with Belarus.

Photo from the media

In addition, six observation towers and access roads are planned to be built this year along a 16.7-kilometer stretch of the Daugava River on the Latvian-Belarusian border. Currently, three towers are already under construction, and two are undergoing preparatory work before the start of construction. These towers are part of the national surveillance system of the external land border, which is being created to effectively protect Latvia's borders and ensure national security interests.

Work on this stage is scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2025. Constructing a 112-kilometer fence on the Belarusian border was completed in 2023. Also, last year, a 30-meter tunnel was put into operation, which significantly facilitates border control in the area where the border crosses the railway line.

Latvian military patrolling the border.

Photo credits: Latvian Ministry of Defense

In March of this year, the Latvian government approved a plan to construct fortifications on the country's eastern border. The plan to strengthen the eastern border and counter enemy troop mobility is part of the Baltic Defensive Line initiative, which covers the entire length of the Latvian border with Russia and Belarus.

Construction of the defense line. Photo credits: Latvijas Sabiedriskie Mediji

At the end of April, the construction of fortifications began in the east of Latvia.

The first anti-tank ditch was dug near the Terekhov border checkpoint a few hundred meters from the border.