Vladimir Putin threatens Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. The Baltic countries are wasting no time and starting to build joint defense facilities on the borders with Russia and Belarus. The words of the Kremlin leader, who recently described the Baltic countries as “a threat” to Russia’s security, did not go unnoticed. The three former Soviet republics have reached an agreement to create a common defense, considered crucial in the context of the war between Ukraine and Russia.
“The “Ministers of Defense” signed an agreement in Riga, according to which Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will build anti-mobility defense facilities with functions of deterrence and, if necessary, defense against military threats in the coming years,” announces the Estonian Ministry of Defense. Latvia and Lithuania border Russia and Belarus. Estonia, however, only with Russia. The facilities mentioned in the press release will be built along the borders.
The Baltic states are members of NATO and part of the European Union. Since the war between Russia and Ukraine began in February 2022, they have consistently supported Kiev with aid. The support was reaffirmed last week when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky toured the capitals of the three nations.
“Russia’s war in Ukraine has shown that in addition to equipment, ammunition and human resources, physical defense facilities are also needed at the border,” said Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur. His Latvian counterpart Andris Spruds confirmed the plan. “We will establish the Baltic Defense Line to defend NATO’s eastern flank and deny freedom of movement to our opponents,” he said on X.
Ukraine is preparing for a new attack
“The current madness of Russian leaders brings with it a time of uncertainty and danger for every nation in the world. More and more often the world senses and realizes that more wars could be on the horizon,” says President Zelensky in the usual message he entrusted to Telegram . “But we have the power to stop it. We have the power to defend normal life. The world has this strength. And that strength must act now to stop Russia,” he added.
Ukraine is also moving parallel to the Baltic countries. A new massive attack by Russia seems more than likely in the coming weeks, when the frozen ground – in February – will allow men and vehicles to move more easily than now. Ukraine expects a new push along the Eastern Front, where fighting continues unabated but has not brought about significant changes in the balance in weeks.
The Kiev government has allocated the equivalent of 427 million euros for the construction of technical and engineering structures and fortifications to consolidate the country's defense capabilities amid the Russian invasion. “We are continually strengthening our security. Today we allocated a record amount for the construction of defense lines,” announced Prime Minister Denis Schmigal.
According to reports in the last 24 hours, Russia attacked the city of Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast, leaving one dead and five injured. According to Governor Oleh Syniehubov, a 57-year-old woman was killed and two men aged 56 and 62 were injured in the action. The two men were taken to hospital. A multi-story building was also damaged as a result of the attacks.
Three people were injured in Russian attacks in Kherson Oblast, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said. The city of Kherson was hit at least eleven times. Russian forces also attacked the Zaporizhia, Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv and Donetsk regions, causing damage to buildings but no casualties.
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