Lithuania unveils plans for multi-layer border defense line

MILAN – Lithuania has announced that it is establishing a multi-layered defensive line composed in part of anti-tank obstacles, drainage ditches, minefields and more to fortify its borders.

The Lithuanian Ministry of Defense declared this week that the Baltic state has opted to create a three-level defensive border intended to delay or stop enemy movement in the event of a potential attack.

“Lithuania is shifting from individual counter-mobility measures to a unified 3-echelon defense line — giving greater depth, stronger control and full NATO/EU integration at our frontier,” the department said in a post on its X account.

In an illustration shared by the MoD, the Lithuanian border defense line is shown to measure 50 kilometers-long.

(Lithuanian Ministry of Defense via X)

The first level, measuring five kilometers, would be located behind the country’s border control point and would consist of anti-tank ditches and obstacles, minefields, fortified points with trenches and secondary positions with trenches.

The second tier, stretching 15 kilometers, would include drainage ditches, engineer equipment parks, bridges prepared for demolition and blocked bridgeheads.

The ultimate echelon would have a similar layout but with additional roadside trees ready to be cut down, according to the picture shared. Felled trees can be useful to delay or restrict the movements of an adversary along roads, specifically in forested environments.

Lithuania shares a border with Russia, known as the Kaliningrad Oblast, which measures roughly 275 kilometers. The Baltic state shares an even longer frontier with Belarus, of approximately 679 kilometers.

The development of the border defense line comes a few weeks after an unidentified drone was reported to have entered Lithuanian airspace on July 28.

Following this, the Lithuanian military announced it would reinforce air defenses surrounding the country’s border with Belarus.

The European Union has severely condemned and sanctioned Minsk’s involvement in Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine.

Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo was a Europe correspondent for Defense News. She covers a wide range of topics related to military procurement and international security, and specializes in reporting on the aviation sector. She is based in Milan, Italy.

米兰——立陶宛宣布，将建立一条多层防线，部分由反坦克障碍物、排水沟、雷区等组成，以加强其边境防御。

立陶宛国防部本周宣布，这个波罗的海国家已决定建立三级防御边界，旨在防止或阻止敌人在潜在攻击中行动。

“立陶宛正在从单独的反机动措施转向统一的三级防线——这将使我们的边境拥有更大的纵深、更强的控制力以及与北约/欧盟的全面融合，”该部门在其 X 账户上发帖称。

根据英国国防部分享的一张插图显示，立陶宛边防线长 50 公里。

（立陶宛国防部通过 X 提供）

第一层防御工事长五公里，位于该国边境检查站后方，由反坦克壕沟和障碍物、雷区、带战壕的防御工事和带战壕的辅助阵地组成。

第二层绵延 15 公里，将包括排水沟、工程设备停车场、准备拆除的桥梁和被封锁的桥头堡。

根据分享的图片，最高级别的防御阵地布局与此类似，但路边会额外设置待砍伐的树木。砍伐的树木可以有效地延缓或限制敌方沿道路的行动，尤其是在森林环境中。

立陶宛与俄罗斯接壤，其边界称为加里宁格勒州，长约275公里。这个波罗的海国家与白俄罗斯接壤的边界更长，约为679公里。

在7月28日有报道称一架身份不明的无人机进入立陶宛领空几周后，边境防线开始建设。

随后，立陶宛军方宣布将加强该国与白俄罗斯边境周围的防空力量。

欧盟严厉谴责并制裁了明斯克参与俄罗斯对乌克兰的军事侵略。

伊丽莎白·戈斯林-马洛曾任《防务新闻》欧洲通讯员。她的报道涵盖军事采购和国际安全等广泛领域，尤其擅长航空领域的报道。她常驻意大利米兰。