Estonia begins large-scale construction of border defences near Russia

Estonia has launched large-scale construction of defensive fortifications along its border with Russia, said Lt. Col. Ainar Afanasyev, engineering inspector of the General Staff of the Estonian Defence Forces.

“By the end of 2027, we should have more than 40 kilometres of anti-tank ditches completed, as well as around 600 bunkers — either already dug into the ground or stored as close as possible to their intended locations,” Afanasyev said, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

In addition to the border fence and anti-tank ditches, “dragon’s teeth” obstacles and barbed wire will also be installed.

The anti-tank ditches, as part of the Baltic Defence Line, will primarily be dug along the southeastern border, as the Narva River and Lake Peipus are considered natural barriers in the east and northeast.

The planned defence zone will stretch nearly 100 kilometres along Estonia’s eastern border, with a depth of about 40 kilometres inland.

By Khagan Isayev