The new blueprint reaches beyond barriers, combining military infrastructure, road preparations and restored wetlands to slow a potential advance.

The Lithuanian government has approved an updated plan for developing engineering defensive structures along the border with Belarus and Russia’s Kaliningrad region. It provides for the creation of a new counter-mobility zone designed to hinder the advance of hostile forces in the event of a possible attack.

Protective zone along the border

Authorities plan to establish a 20-metre-wide protective zone extending inland from the patrol road. In areas identified by the military as important for operations, its width may be increased to 150 metres.

Engineering structures and obstacles are intended to slow the movement of enemy military equipment and personnel or completely block their advance.

Engineering equipment parks and road preparations

The development of engineering equipment parks at military facilities has been extended until the end of 2028. Lithuania’s Ministry of Defence explained that the deadline was changed due to the expansion of the planned network: 50 such parks will be created instead of 27.

The plan also includes the construction of storage facilities for equipment, to be managed by LTG Infra.

By the end of 2028, Lithuania plans to implement a number of additional defence measures:

install reserve obstacles on national roads;
equip access routes to bridges with obstacles;
prepare bridges for the possible placement of explosives.

Implementing the revised plan between 2026 and 2030 may require an additional €50 million from Lithuania’s State Defence Fund.

Restoring wetlands as a defence measure

A separate part of the programme provides for the restoration of wetland areas instead of creating woodland barriers. This work is expected to be completed by the end of 2030.

Lithuania’s Ministry of Defence believes that marshy areas in certain locations could make the movement of heavy military equipment difficult or impossible for several years.

Lithuania has been developing its counter-mobility system since 2023, taking into account the experience of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. The updated plan is intended to strengthen the country’s defence readiness on its eastern flank.