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The Estonian Defense Minister has announced that the Baltic states will build defense facilities on the borders with Russia and Belarus. The construction of a bunker network should be part of the new plans to defend NATO’s eastern flank. And construction is scheduled to begin next year.
Almost 90 years ago, the Czechoslovak government decided to build a defensive belt against the Nazi threat. Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia also announced similar decisions on Friday. This time from the danger from the east. Tallinn wants to build 600 bunkers on its territory, the budget is one and a half billion crowns. Riga and Vilnius are keeping their concrete plans secret for the time being.
“Building defensive positions is a carefully thought-out project based on the current security situation. Russia’s war in Ukraine has shown that in order to defend all people, in addition to equipment, ammunition and personnel, physical defense facilities at the borders are required. “meters of Estonian territory,” said Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur.
The announcement comes hours after GPS signal outages occurred in the Baltic states and Poland. According to experts, tests of Russian radio-electronic warfare systems were behind it. The largest NATO military exercise since the end of the Cold War is scheduled to begin in the region in four days.
90,000 soldiers from 31 member countries and Sweden will take part in the Strong Defender exercise. “We will exercise the ability to withdraw troops from North America. The exercise is a demonstration of our unity, our strength and our determination to protect each other,” said US General Christopher Cavoli.
The military maneuvers are intended to deter Russia from a possible attack on the Baltics. According to German media, this is imminent and, according to available documents, the immediate threat could come in the summer of 2025.
“We must recognize that peace cannot be taken for granted. That’s why we train. That is why we are preparing for a conflict with Russia. We do not tolerate conflict, but if they attack us, we must be ready,” said Rob Bauer, chairman of the NATO Military Committee.
“NATO’s increased activity near the borders of Russia and the Russian state of Belarus is provocative in nature and leads to a complete deterioration of European security. Of course, such steps will not do without an appropriate reaction from the Russian side,” said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marija Zakharova.
According to Estonian Prime Minister Kallas, the alliance only has a few years to prepare for the threat from Russia. Therefore, Estonia plans to complete the fortifications within three years.
eva, TN.cz
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