Estonia digs anti-tank ditch, may shut border with Russia, media reports
Photo: Estonia digs anti-tank ditch and may close border with Russia (Getty Images)
On Estonia’s southeastern border, a nearly 40-kilometer anti-tank ditch will be built over the next two years. In addition, Estonia’s opposition party has initiated a bill proposing to close the border with Russia, ERR reports.
According to Estonia’s General Staff, while the Narva River serves as a natural barrier in the northeast of the country and Lake Peipus in the east, in southeastern Estonia, a 40-kilometer anti-tank ditch is planned to stop the enemy.
By the end of 2027, not only the ditch but also the construction of about 600 bunkers is expected to be completed.
Overall, the defense zone on Estonia’s eastern border will stretch about 100 km in length and 40 km in depth from the land boundary. Inside the delaying barrier, anti-tank ditches will be equipped, along which dragon’s teeth and barbed wire will be installed.
The Defense Investments Center clarified that two strongpoints will be built this year, in the northeast and southeast of the country, each consisting of 14 bunkers.
Construction is mainly concentrated in densely forested areas. In addition to their defensive functions, the ditches will also serve as an element of border surveillance. The project was developed taking into account the experience of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The media outlet also reports that Estonia’s opposition party Isamaa (Fatherland) has initiated a bill proposing to close the border with Russia.
According to the party leader, the initiative is driven by the deteriorating security situation due to Russia and Belarus’s large-scale Zapad military exercises, as well as Moscow’s provocative actions against NATO countries.
If the parliament supports the proposal, the final decision must be made by the Estonian government.
Estonia prepares for possible war with Russia
After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Estonia, like the other Baltic states, grew increasingly concerned about new aggression from Russia.
The states began actively preparing - modernizing their armies and developing defense plans in case of a possible attack.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that within the next five years, the Russian army may attack one of the NATO member states to test the strength of the Alliance.
Read in the RBC-Ukraine article whether Putin is ready for war with the West and how NATO would respond.
