Lithuania to dig 20-metre ditches along Russia and Belarus borders by 2028
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Lithuania will dig defensive ditches averaging 20 metres in width along its borders with Russia's Kaliningrad region and Belarus, with completion planned by 2028. The government approved the project on Wednesday, 12 August, and expects to spend about €50 million. The plan also includes restoring wetlands by 2030 and expanding stockpiles of road-blocking barriers.
Lithuanian Defensive Ditches
The ditches will run along Lithuania's border with Russia's Kaliningrad region and with Belarus. Average width is set at 20 metres, with sections up to 150 metres in locations to be designated by the Lithuanian army command. The government approved the plan on 12 August at the Defense Ministry's proposal and allocated about €50 million. Lithuania expects the border ditches to be complete by 2028.
Wetland and Road Barriers
By 2030, Lithuania will restore wetlands in border areas to make terrain difficult for heavy military vehicles. The Cabinet also agreed to expand warehouses with engineering barriers for rapid closure of roads using anti-tank hedgehogs, concrete structures, and barbed wire. Earlier, Lithuania decided to place special structures on bridges in border districts to enable demolition in case of a military incursion. The country has left the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel mines and plans to spend several hundred million euros on mine production.
German Brigade Deployment
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys said in early August that the German Bundeswehr's 45th Tank Brigade will grow to 5,000 troops by 2027. The brigade is being deployed to Lithuania to defend NATO's eastern flank against military threats from Russia and Belarus. This deployment runs parallel to Lithuania's border fortification projects and anti-personnel mine production plans.
What's Next
Lithuania's army command is to designate the border sections where ditches will reach 150 metres, but no locations or timeline for that selection have been published. It remains unclear how the €50 million allocation will be split among the ditch, wetland restoration, and road-barrier projects before the 2028 and 2030 deadlines.
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Lithuania to dig 20-metre ditches along Russia and Belarus borders by 2028
