Latvia has begun installing anti-tank barriers, so-called "dragon's teeth," on the border with Russia as part of the Baltic Defense Line project. This was reported by LSM, according to UNN.
Details
As noted, the National Armed Forces of Latvia began the physical placement of concrete anti-tank barriers in May on sections along the border with the Russian Federation, particularly in areas that were previously expropriated for defense needs.
The barriers are being installed in three rows approximately 10 meters wide. Each concrete block weighs about 1.5 tons. The military emphasizes that the distance between them does not allow military equipment to pass through.
According to the head of the Baltic Defense Line project, Colonel Andris Rieksts, the main goal of the defense infrastructure is not only to deter the enemy but also to destroy them directly at the border.
"If something happens, we must be able to destroy them here, because we see from the example of Ukraine – as soon as you lose territory, it is practically impossible to get it back,"
Rieksts also emphasized that modern warfare requires not only protection against drones and missiles but also control over territory.
"Drones will not capture us. In Ukraine, we see hundreds of attacks every day, but as long as the land is held and no one physically drives people from their homes – this land is ours,"
In addition to "dragon's teeth," Latvia plans to construct anti-tank ditches. The total length of Latvia's border with Russia and Belarus is about 450 kilometers. In 2026, the military plans to equip more than 8 kilometers of defense infrastructure.
The Baltic Defense Line project is being implemented jointly with Lithuania, Estonia, and Poland. All work is planned to be completed by 2028.
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