Lithuania to Dig Trenches and Restore Wetlands Along Borders With Russia and Belarus

The Lithuanian government has approved a decision to strengthen border defenses, including the construction of engineering barriers, the restoration of wetlands, and the digging of anti-tank trenches and ditches in case of an attack.

The Ministry of National Defence of Lithuania reported this, citing a statement by Deputy Defence Minister Tomas Mickelevičius.

The approved measures are intended to make it as difficult as possible for enemy armored vehicles to move through the country by combining fortifications with natural obstacles.

In particular, along the border with Belarus and Russia’s Kaliningrad region, a 20-meter-wide strip of engineering obstacles will be established by the end of 2028. In key defense areas, it will be expanded to 150 meters.

The defense plan also includes restoring wetlands by 2030 to block the movement of heavy equipment and increasing the number of storage sites for engineering barrier equipment to 50 locations.

Separately, Lithuanian military personnel continue to block key roads with reserve barriers and equip bridges with special fixtures for installing explosives.

By the end of the year, legislation will require bridges, already at the design and renovation stages, to include structures for rapid demolition, as well as to restore defensive trenches and river channels.