Lithuania has begun preparing bridges near its borders with Belarus and Russia for potential demolition, embedding military deterrence directly into civilian infrastructure. 

The Lithuanian Armed Forces confirmed to public broadcaster LRT that construction activity observed near the border is part of fortification measures agreed in July 2025 under the Baltic defence line initiative.

According to the military, selected bridges are being fitted with “engineering structures for attaching explosive materials,” enabling rapid demolition in the event of an armed conflict. 

The goal would be to block or slow the movement of hostile military forces attempting to cross into Lithuanian territory. Officials said bridges and roads were chosen based on their strategic importance and the presence of natural obstacles that could amplify their defensive value.

The bridge preparations form part of a broader defensive effort along Lithuania’s borders with Russia and Belarus. 

The armed forces said they have already established several dozen storage sites near the frontier to stockpile anti-tank obstacles and other defensive equipment.

Additional measures include planting trees along key roads to provide concealment and deepening irrigation ditches to function as trenches and anti-tank barriers.

These steps reflect a layered approach to territorial defence, combining permanent infrastructure changes with deployable obstacles.

Similar measures have been introduced elsewhere in the region, as NATO’s eastern members reassess border security in response to Russia’s long-term posture.

Lithuanian officials have been careful to frame the preparations as precautionary rather than alarmist.

In the event of conflict, the ability to demolish bridges quickly would reduce reliance on ad-hoc measures, but authorities stress that readiness should not be confused with an expectation of imminent war.

The debate echoes discussions in Finland, which shares a 1,340-kilometer border with Russia and has prepared similar contingencies for decades. In April 2025, Finnish President Alexander Stubb warned against excessive rhetoric about Russia testing NATO’s Article 5. 

“We should prepare for that, but it’s highly unlikely,” he said, urging European states to become “more Finnish” by focusing on practical readiness rather than speculation.

Inside Lithuania, some populist politicians and their supporters have previously accused officials of warmongering.

Similar concerns were voiced in Estonia, where senior military figures cautioned against what they called “war hysteria.”

Lithuanian civil protection officials argue that preparedness must be normalized rather than dramatized.

Donatas Gurevičius of the Fire and Rescue Department said publicly describing border areas as unsafe during peacetime would be irresponsible given NATO commitments.

Military officials echoed that view, emphasizing that consistent communication and factual explanations reduce panic. Major Gintautas Ciunis of the Armed Forces’ Strategic Communications Department said Russia’s threat remains constant over the long term, making continuous preparedness essential for effective deterrence.