Estonia Begins Building Baltic Defense Line on Border With Russia

Estonia has begun construction of the Baltic Defense Line along its southeastern border with Russia, in a move to bolster national security and deter potential threats.

The initiative is being led by the Estonian Defense Forces in coordination with the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments. The project aims to establish a system of permanent fortifications as part of a broader effort to enhance territorial defense.

Work is currently focused on digging anti-tank ditches in designated areas along the border. These trenches mark the first physical step in the rollout of the defense line. At a test site, a trench is being excavated between the existing border fence and monitoring posts, which is expected to become a key component of the future infrastructure.

By the end of 2025, plans call for the construction of 28 bunkers, as well as multiple storage facilities for military equipment and ammunition.

The Estonian Centre for Defence Investments said €4.4 million had been allocated from that year’s state budget to support the project. The anti-tank ditches are being developed in line with the assessments made by the Defence Forces and will also support border protection during peacetime.

The work is being carried out on both public and private land, requiring cooperation with local authorities and residents. In cases involving private or municipal property, the state plans to pursue land acquisition, leasing, or land swaps.

In addition, the Estonian Defence Forces have announced plans to establish a new military base in the eastern city of Narva, located directly on the border with Russia. The base is expected to host more than 200 Estonian troops, with additional NATO allied personnel also likely to be stationed there.

The announcement underscores Narva’s growing importance as a strategic location on NATO’s eastern flank.

Earlier this year, the Baltic states’ defense ministers supported withdrawing from the international treaty banning anti-personnel mines, citing evolving regional security needs.