Riga, Nov 9. (dpa/GNA) – Latvia and Estonia are working to fortify their borders with Russia, with Latvian television reporting on Monday that anti-tank trenches have been dug along a 4-kilometre stretch of the country’s eastern border.
By early next year, 27 of a total of 89 kilometres are to be completed, according to the report. The trenches are to be supplemented by further obstacles, such as concrete anti-tank barriers, so-called dragon’s teeth.
“The idea is that the enemy needs different types of equipment to overcome these obstacles,” Latvian military representative Edgars Briedis said. To overcome an anti-tank trench, for example, it would have to be filled in or suitable combat bridges would have to be used, he said. “To remove the dragon’s teeth, other systems are required.”
The TV report showed three rows of anti-tank barriers, placed side by side, each weighing 1.5 metric tons and standing just over 1 metre high.
A trench just over 2 metres deep is to be dug alongside them. Both structures are to be built only a few metres from the border fence with Russia.
In Estonia, the first concrete bunkers near the border city of Narva were completed at the end of October, according to a report by Estonian public broadcaster ERR.
The structures are designed to protect soldiers from direct hits by artillery shells. Other shelters have already been built in the country’s north-east and south-east, equipped with electricity and communications systems. Concrete and anti-tank barriers have also been installed.
GNA