Lithuania plans trenches and restored swamps along Belarus border

Lithuania plans to strengthen the defense of the border with Belarus and Russia. The country's government approved proposals from the Ministry of Defense on digging trenches tens of meters wide, as well as restoring swamps.

Counter-mobility assets are planned to be deployed in sections 20 meters wide (in some places — up to 150 m). These include various types of barriers — anti-tank ditches and "hedgehogs," "dragon's teeth" and others. The number of storage points for such assets has grown from 27 to 50. Everything, including the preparation of bridges for mining, must be put in place by December 31, 2028.

Lithuanians also plan to restore swamps near the border to halt an advance. This project is expected to be completed by the end of 2030.

There are approximately 59,000 hectares of swamps along the Lithuanian-Belarusian border, with about half of them drained.

Lithuania's Ministry of Defense has calculated that these additional measures may require 50 million euros from funds allocated in the budget for 2026–2030.