Vilnius, Lithuania – On December 30, 2025, the Lithuanian Armed Forces confirmed ongoing construction work on bridges near the borders with Belarus and Russia, revealing that these efforts include installing "engineering structures for attaching explosive materials" to enable rapid demolition in the event of an armed conflict. The measures are designed to impede potential enemy advances by blocking key transportation routes.
The confirmation came in response to public notices of simultaneous works on multiple bridges close to the Belarusian border. The military stated that the modifications are part of a broader plan to establish the Baltic Defence Line, a coordinated fortification initiative along Lithuania's frontiers with Russia (including the Kaliningrad exclave) and Belarus, Russia's closest ally in the ongoing war in Ukraine.
"Bridges and roads are selected based on the location of natural obstacles and their strategic importance in Lithuania’s defense system," the Armed Forces explained. In a potential conflict scenario, these pre-installed structures would allow for quicker demolition of border-proximate bridges, significantly hindering the movement of hostile military forces.
Beyond bridge preparations, the military has already set up dozens of storage sites near the borders for anti-tank obstacles and other defensive barriers. Additional works include planting trees along critical roadways to provide cover and camouflage, as well as deepening irrigation ditches to create potential trenches and supplementary anti-tank ditches.
These fortifications stem from agreements reached in July 2024 among the Baltic states—Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia—to construct a unified Baltic Defence Line. The initiative aims to enhance deterrence and counter-mobility along NATO's eastern flank, amid heightened tensions following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Lithuania's efforts align with similar projects in neighboring countries: Latvia has completed a border fence with Russia, while Estonia and Poland are advancing their own barrier systems and minefield preparations.
The bridge modifications are not unique to Lithuania. Finland, which shares the longest NATO border with Russia at 1,340 kilometers, has maintained similar defensive strategies for decades, including preparations for infrastructure demolition to slow invasions. Historical context underscores this approach: during the Winter War of 1939-1940, Finland faced a Soviet invasion but leveraged terrain and prepared defenses to inflict heavy losses, ultimately preserving independence despite territorial concessions.
Lithuanian officials emphasize that these measures are purely defensive and part of routine preparedness. Major Gintautas Ciunis of the Armed Forces Strategic Communications Department described such activities as "regular, long-term" aspects of national security, comparable to everyday societal functions, to avoid unnecessary alarm. The goal is to demonstrate visible readiness without inciting panic, balancing transparency with reassurance.
The Baltic Defence Line concept extends beyond physical barriers. It incorporates counter-mobility parks stocked with equipment like anti-tank "dragon's teeth," hedgehogs, and mines—though Lithuania, like other signatories to the Ottawa Treaty until recent adjustments, has navigated restrictions on certain munitions. Estimated costs for Lithuania's contributions run into hundreds of millions of euros, with calls for partial EU funding to support the regional effort.
This development reflects broader NATO adaptations on the eastern front. Poland's "East Shield" project, valued at over €2.4 billion, includes fortified borders with Kaliningrad and Belarus. The Suwalki Gap—a narrow corridor linking Poland and Lithuania, flanked by Kaliningrad and Belarus—remains a focal point of strategic concern, often cited as a potential flashpoint.
While no immediate threat is reported, the preparations signal a shift toward proactive deterrence. Lithuanian Defence Minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas has previously highlighted the need for robust capabilities, including permanent obstacles on key bridges like those over the Nemunas River.
As 2025 concludes, these fortifications underscore the Baltic states' commitment to resilience within NATO. Officials stress that enhanced preparedness strengthens deterrence, reducing the likelihood of conflict while ensuring rapid response if needed. The bridge works, though evoking historical precedents, are framed as prudent steps in an evolving security landscape.
