The Baltic Defense Line

Armstrong Economics ^ | 17 Sep 25 | Martin Arm

[delta7]

The Baltic Defense Line established by Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania has become the largest fortification effort in Europe since World War II. The multi-layered defensive installation includes anti-tank obstacles, surveillance systems, trenches, and bunkers. The “East Shield” is intended to protect these nations, and therefore Europe, from Russian invasion, which they believe is inevitable.

Estonia announced that it has begun construction of a 40-kilometer trench along its border with Russia. Other Baltic States, such as Lithuania and Latvia, have constructed “dragon’s teeth” or anti-tank barriers that act as large pyramid-shaped concrete obstacles for armored vehicles.

The three Baltic states will each install a minimum of 600 bunkers along the border. The 600-mile-wide project is expected to take up to ten years to complete. “[Vladimir] Putin is not going to let us wait those 10 years,” said Gabrielius Landsbergis, who served as Lithuania’s foreign minister until November. “The most dangerous time for the Baltics will be immediately after a ceasefire in Ukraine,” he told The Telegraph.

dragonteeth

The new neocon tale states that a ceasefire with Ukraine would cause a world war. To the neocons, a ceasefire would give Russia more time to regroup, rearm, and attack NATO nations. Danish Intelligence reported that Moscow could “fight a local war in a country bordering Russia,” and in as little as two years, the nation will “be ready for a regional war against several countries in the Baltic Sea region.” By 2030, Danish intelligence believes Russia will engage in “a large-scale war” in Europe.

Now the Baltic states are spending a minimum of £60 million each to implement this Baltic Defense Line. “We must be able to hold the line, make sure Russia does not get inside, but we must also be able to take the fight to the enemy,” declared Raimond Kaljulaid, the head of Estonia’s delegation to NATO.

Russia has no motive to invade the Baltics unless NATO provokes it to do so. Moscow’s strategic concerns lie elsewhere. But NATO must keep expanding the conflict, because without Russia as the eternal enemy, the alliance has no purpose.

The wall is being built not because of military necessity, but because the neocons want perpetual confrontation. The Baltic Defense Line is political theatre for the masses to believe that Europe is protecting itself against Russian threats, when in reality, the neocons in Europe have been planning to wage war against Russia at the nearest opportunity.

[Wuli]

Some of the warfare is now conducted by drones but tanks are still used for moving the lines of occupation. It is estimated Russia has lost 4,000 tanks so far in its invasion.

[Wuli]

Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia share some natural resources, including forests, peat, various construction materials like clay, sand, and dolomite, and abundant groundwater. Estonia is distinguished by its substantial oil shale deposits, while Latvia and Lithuania are noted for their natural amber deposits along the Baltic Sea coast and significant hydropower potential from their large river systems. All three also have potential unexploited oil deposits, particularly in the Baltic Sea region.
Estonia

Oil shale: The country’s most significant mineral resource, making it a major world producer.

Peat: Substantial reserves are present.
Construction Materials: Large deposits of sand, gravel, limestone, and clay.
Other Minerals: Phosphorite, iron ore, and mineral waters are also present.

Latvia

Forests: An outstanding natural resource, covering a significant portion of the country.

Peat: A notable resource, along with dolomite, limestone, and other construction materials.
Hydropower: Significant hydroelectric resources, with hydropower plants on the Daugava River.
Amber: Natural amber deposits found along the Baltic coast.
Minerals: Sand, gravel, dolomite, limestone, and clay are also valuable resources.

Lithuania

Forests, Water, and Agricultural Land: These are important natural features, with abundant forests and water resources.

Construction Materials: Abundant deposits of limestone, clay, quartz sand, dolomite, and gypsum.
Peat: Significant reserves are available.
Oil: Unexploited oil deposits exist along the coastal shelf.
Amber: Natural amber is found along the Baltic Sea shore.
Hydropower: The country has significant hydropower resources, similar to Latvia.

[Wuli]

Germany occupied Lithuania during World War II, from June 1941 until the end of 1944
. The occupation began during Germany’s invasion of the Soviet Union, which had previously occupied Lithuania.
Timeline of occupations

First Soviet occupation (1940–1941): Under the secret protocols of the 1939 Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, Lithuania was assigned to the Soviet sphere of influence. Soviet forces invaded and annexed Lithuania in June and August 1940, respectively. During this time, the Soviets deported and repressed many Lithuanians, which led many to resent the Soviet regime.
German occupation (1941–1944):
“Liberators” at first: When Germany invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941, many Lithuanians initially welcomed the Germans as liberators from the brutal Soviet regime. A Lithuanian anti-Soviet uprising broke out, and a provisional government declared independence, but the Germans did not recognize it.
Nazi administration established: By July 1941, the Nazis dissolved the Lithuanian government and integrated the country into the Reichskommissariat Ostland, a German civil administration.
Resistance and atrocities: As the Nazis’ brutal intentions became clear, Lithuanian attitudes shifted toward passive resistance. Germans and their local collaborators carried out the near-total extermination of Lithuania’s Jewish population, which was among the highest rates of destruction during the Holocaust.
Second Soviet occupation (1944–1991): The German occupation ended when the Red Army reoccupied Lithuania in 1944. The Soviets reestablished control, and their rule lasted until Lithuania declared its independence in 1990

[frithguild]

Russia has coveted the Baltic states since at least the 17th century.

"Covet" why? The Baltics are a natural corridor for Eurpoean invasion it is true. But how is that a relevant consideration now? Is Germany on the march again? France? Sweden? Other past invaders?

Possession of the Baltics would be a net drag on the Russian economy. Why would they invade? They have less than zero strategic value.

If you argue that Russia "covets", very well. You are anthromorphizing an entire polity, inducing fear, shaming and rallying. Just admit to that.

[frithguild]

Are any of these resources in short supply in the RF?

[Worldtraveler once upon a time]

--- "......and so all that happened was that the Leftists impoverished more of their own people."

It is fascinating to think how many tend to forget recent history, and perhaps not have learned lessons from a more distant past. Here's an oldie but goodie:

" 'Look, Russia is a gas station masquerading as a country,' McCain said. 'It's kleptocracy. It's corruption. It's a nation that's really only dependent upon oil and gas for their economy, and so economic sanctions are important'."

Source: John McCain: Russia is a 'gas station masquerading as a country' The Week, 8 January 2015

Placing that remark into a recent historical basis, in 2015, the national debt was about $18 trillion. A short ten years later, it is doubled. An example to me of our "kleptocracy" and our "corruption." Moreover, what nation is not "dependent upon oil and gas for their economy?"

What seems reality is that the "gas station masquerading as a country" is holding its own, and winning or losing depending on whose opinion one reads. But we've doubled our debt in a decade, which should seem problematic to many. And the EU nations are expereicning the costs when that "gas station masquerading as a country" is withstanding to date eighteen sanctions packages placed by the EC and von der Leyen. German industry was predicated on energy products from the east, because most folks need a "gas station."

Turns out, you and I and everyone who comments on these threads needs a gas station. John McCain no longer needs a gas station, of course, and the "across-the-aisle" friendship is now moot.

[marktwain]

History is a reasonable way to consider national ambitions.

Putin has said the break up of the Soviet Union was a tragedy.

You seem to indicate that Europe is not a threat to Russia:

“Covet” why? The Baltics are a natural corridor for Eurpoean invasion it is true. But how is that a relevant consideration now? Is Germany on the march again? France? Sweden? Other past invaders?

If Europe (NATO) is not a threat to Russia, then the stated reasons for the Ukraine invasion are false.

From your post:

“Possession of the Baltics would be a net drag on the Russian economy. Why would they invade? They have less than zero strategic value.”

Those are highly debatable assumptions. In addition, empires have often conquered territory which turned out to be a net drag.

[DIRTYSECRET]

**The world will be a better place when Putin is gone.**

I dunno. Think Kadaffy. Maybe even Saddam.

[dfwgator]

Think Kaiser Wilhelm.

[delta7]

“There are no “neocons” in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, nor in Denmark, Finland or the the other Baltic States.”
——————-
Huh? You are very much ill informed. Those following closely ( NOT western MSM tripe) have heard nothing but “destroy Russia”, “war with Russia”, blah, blah, blah.

ESTONIAN PRIME MINISTER PROPOSES BREAKING UP RUSSIA INTO “SMALL STATES”
Kallas presents the immediate sending of NATO troops to Ukraine as one of the tools for winning the war in Ukraine.
https://naapuriseura.fi/en/viron-paaministeri-ehdottaa-venajan-hajottamista-pieniksi-valtioiksi/

This Kallas is much worse than that crazy Van Der Leyen…..where does the EU find these maniac woman?

[Chewbarkah]

And missiles, airplanes, helicopters, paratroopers, ships, very long range artillery...

[delta7]

Are any of these resources in short supply in the RF?
—————-
Russia leads the world in $75 trillion plus in natural resources, in need of nothing. Are you buying into Obama’s claim that Russia is just a huge gas station?

“ COMMODITIESRanked: Top 10 Countries by Value of All Their Natural Resources”….
https://www.visualcapitalist.com/ranked-top-10-countries-by-value-of-all-their-natural-resources/

[DIRTYSECRET]

Sorry pa. /my history isn’t as good as yours.

[frithguild]

If Europe (NATO) is not a threat to Russia, then the stated reasons for the Ukraine invasion are false.

The stated reasons for the SMO "stated" nothing about the Baltics or geographical locations other than specific regions in Ukraine whose populations' human rights were being oppressed by a coup d'etat regime. What am I missing?

[marktwain]

You are missing that the reasons for the SMO included that Ukraine not become part of NATO and the long stated claim that NATO was a threat to Russia.

There was also the requirement that Ukraine be “demilitarized”.

The SMO has not worked out as desired. Finnland and Sweden have become part of NATO. NATO has become much stronger and more militant. Ukraine is far more militarized.

[grumpygresh]

I disagree. Putin is a monster.

Take care and God Bless you.

[Wuli]

The Estonian Prime Minister is not a neocon - a purely American connotation, that, in the U.S., represent some former Left-of-center thinkers who claimed to have become Conservative over national security issues.

[DownInFlames]

Exactly. Patton said any fixed fortification built by man can be overcome.

[frithguild]

That NATO had moved nuclear capable missiles into Poland and Romaina that Russia viewed as a threat is historical fact. This being the reality any attempt to bring Ukraine into NATO would be viewed as a threat. Yet, NATO members conducted a coup d’etat. Russian diplomatic communications are narrow and specific on this point. These are not really arguable facts.

Alk that being said, none of any of this is specific to the Baltics. If you argue general positions state a specific threat I understand what you are saying. But the argument is weak. It is the Baltics focus on fear, shaming and rallying, when the Baltics’ strategic value to the RF is negative.

[dfwgator]

Point being, getting rid of one baddie always leads to the rise of another baddie to take his place, who is usually even worse than the previous baddie.