Latvia eyes to create military buffer zone along Russian, Belarusian borders

Latvian Chief of Defence Kaspars Pudāns has announced that the Latvian government is preparing to nationalize a 30-kilometer-wide zone along its borders with Russia and Belarus as part of a sweeping plan to bolster national defence.

Pudāns confirmed that the Defence Ministry has drafted legislation enabling the creation of easements and the temporary use of private land for military purposes, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

The move is intended to support the installation of defensive structures and the development of military infrastructure in the sensitive border region.

“The National Armed Forces will deploy defensive elements not only along the border itself but also within a 30-kilometer depth inside Latvian territory,” Pudāns said. “Since many of these areas are privately owned, the new legislation is necessary to allow for defense-related access and construction.” 

According to the ministry, the law is critical for building an effective defensive line and facilitating counter-mobility operations. This includes installing anti-tank barriers, surveillance systems, and other strategic assets.   Anti-tank obstacles produced in 2024 are currently held in storage, with plans for deployment this year. In addition, the armed forces will acquire land mines and advanced sensor technologies as part of the broader defensive effort.

A budget of 45 million euros ($51 million) has been allocated in 2025 for strengthening the eastern border, a key focus of Latvia’s national security agenda. These initiatives are part of the Baltic Defense Line, a trilateral defense project involving Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia.

By Naila Huseynova