Poland Begins Construction of Defensive Line Along Russian Border Amid Heightened Security Concerns
Poland has commenced building defensive fixtures along its border with Russia, a program named the “Eastern Shield”, according to Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The plan includes the construction of 800 kilometers of trenches along the 400-kilometer border with Russia’s Kaliningrad region and Belarus, minefields, anti-tank barriers, video surveillance systems, and more. Tusk emphasized Poland’s strategic role on NATO’s eastern flank and highlighted the project aims to secure the border during peace and make it impenetrable in war. The “Eastern Shield” is slated for completion in 2028, costing about $2.5 billion. Meanwhile, Baltic states are setting up over 1,000 concrete bunkers along their borders with Russia and Belarus, a project dubbed the “Baltic Defense Line”.
John Q. Hosedrinker