Baltic states prepare to destroy bridges on borders with Russia and Belarus
Baltic states prepare to blow up bridges on borders with Russia and Belarus (illustrative photo: Getty Images)
The Baltic states are strengthening preparations for potential military threats from Russia and Belarus. Structures designed to blow up bridges in the event of an armed conflict have already appeared along Lithuania's borders with Belarus and Russia, Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT reports.
As the outlet writes, the Lithuanian Armed Forces said that several dozen sites for storing anti-tank and engineering obstacles have already been set up near the border. In addition, the military is planting trees to cover key roads and deepening irrigation ditches, which, if necessary, will serve as trenches and additional anti-tank barriers.
According to the military's plan, in the event of a threat or the start of hostilities, bridges near the border could be quickly destroyed to prevent or significantly slow the movement of enemy units.
Finland has implemented a similar strategy for decades. The country shares a border with Russia stretching more than 1,340 kilometers. Finnish President Alexander Stubb previously stressed that European states should talk less and prepare more.
"You have to prepare for the worst to avoid it," Stubb said in comments to the Financial Times, urging Europe to adopt the Finnish approach to security.
At the same time, not everyone in the Baltic states views such actions unambiguously. In Lithuania, some politicians and their supporters have previously accused the authorities of "warmongering." In Estonia, the commander of the armed forces, Andrus Merilo, warned against excessive "warmongering," emphasizing that preparedness, rather than panic, allows society to act rationally in crises.
Putin will not stop at Ukraine
Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) published another report on the situation around Ukraine and Russia. The document states that since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, Belarus has effectively become a military staging ground for Russia.
According to experts, current strikes on western regions of Ukraine are being carried out, among other things, using military infrastructure on Belarusian territory. ISW believes that Moscow will continue to expand its military presence there, supporting the war against Ukraine and creating potential threats to NATO countries.
Similar assessments were previously voiced by German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, who did not rule out that after a possible peace agreement with Ukraine, Russia could attack one of the NATO states.
At the same time, the head of Ukraine's Defense Ministry Main Intelligence Directorate, Kyrylo Budanov, has stated that Russia is not capable of fighting a war on two fronts. However, if hostilities in Ukraine end, the Baltic states could become Russia's next potential target.
