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Fortress Estonia: 40 km of Anti-Tank Ditches and 600 Bunkers to Defend NATO’s Eastern Flank by 2027
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
Estonia has begun building large-scale fortifications along its eastern frontier, part of a sweeping plan to strengthen the Baltic Defense Line against potential Russian aggression, national broadcaster ERR reported on September 16.
Over the next two years, nearly 40 kilometers of anti-tank ditches will be dug on the country’s southeastern border. These obstacles, reinforced with dragon’s teeth and barbed wire, are designed to slow down enemy armor and channel invading forces into kill zones.
🚧 #Estonia is constructing anti-tank ditches on its southeastern border as part of the #BalticDefenceLine.
— MoD Estonia (@MoD_Estonia) June 19, 2025
There’s no imminent military threat — but readiness is key. Serious #defence begins with serious preparation. 💪 pic.twitter.com/NOYrv5Bdjp
In Võru County’s Vinski village, a half-kilometer trench has already been completed. Officials said that while earlier sections were dug outside delay fences, the new design places them inside, alongside additional layered defenses.
Lt. Col. Ainar Afanasjev of the Estonian Defense Forces (EDF) General Staff explained the scope of the effort.
“Since in Northeastern Estonia we already have a good natural obstacle in the form of the Narva River, and to the east Lake Peipus, then in Southeastern Estonia, in order to stop the enemy, the plan is to build 40 kilometers of anti-tank ditch,” Afanasjev stated.
He added that it is not necessary in marshy sections, as vehicles cannot pass through them either.
“By the end of 2027, we should have 40-plus kilometers of anti-tank ditch ready. And also nearly 600 bunkers, either already dug into the ground or at least stored as close as possible to the original locations,” he said.
The planned defense zone will stretch about 100 kilometers along the eastern border and extend 40 kilometers inland, creating a fortified buffer that military officials say would complicate any hostile advance.
Armin Siilivask, project manager at the state Center for Defense Investments (RKIK), confirmed additional work is underway.
“This year, the plan is to build two strongpoints: one in Northeastern Estonia, the other in Southeastern Estonia, consisting of up to 14 bunkers, which will be placed additionally on the terrain in this area. This year it is also planned to establish storage areas.”
By 2025, Estonia expects to complete up to four kilometers of anti-tank ditches, 28 bunkers, and 10 storage sites, with more construction to follow.
Estonia’s digging anti-tank trenches and building bunkers along its border with Russia, with plans for up to 28 bunkers and 10 storage sites by 2025. Latvia and Lithuania are set to build similar defenses too. pic.twitter.com/nLqCwyIh1l
— WarTranslated (@wartranslated) June 20, 2025
The work is being carried out jointly by the EDF and RKIK, with Ministry of Defense officials emphasizing that although there is no immediate threat, preparedness is essential.
The trenches and bunkers are being positioned in heavily forested areas where the border is difficult to patrol. Beyond serving as barriers, the ditches will also support surveillance and delay tactics—critical lessons drawn from Ukraine’s experience resisting Russia’s invasion.
Earlier, Lithuania reinforced its border security by installing concrete anti-tank obstacles, known as “dragon’s teeth,” along sections of its frontier with Russia and Belarus.
