The Latvian Army Already Has Plans to Block the Railway 0 35

Commenting on recent discussions about the possible dismantling of railway tracks in the eastern border area even in peacetime, Pudiņš noted that the issue of the rails is just part of measures to counter mobility and strengthen Latvia's border.

The Commander of the National Armed Forces explained that the element of surprise is essentially the only advantage that Russia has left in the event it decides to attack NATO. In this regard, Latvia is acting in two directions — carefully preparing to avoid surprise and "buying insurance." Preparation, for example, includes reconnaissance activities, while the "insurance" in this case is the creation of barriers where they do not interfere with social or economic activities.

Speaking specifically about the railway, Pudiņš noted that detailed plans have already been prepared to limit mobility by rail under certain conditions; however, additional actions may be proposed to further reduce the likelihood of a sudden enemy attack.

When asked whether he supports the dismantling of the rails during peacetime, Pudiņš did not give a direct answer, stating that the assessment should continue from both military specialists and representatives of other fields.

Pudiņš reported that new sensors and radars will be received in the coming days for more effective monitoring of security along the eastern border.

The Commander of the National Armed Forces emphasized that it is not always possible to be fully prepared for a sudden attack by an aggressor; therefore, for example, in the case of the first major drone attack, it is possible that not all enemy drones will be shot down. However, it should be noted that NATO's response actions will be directed not only against drones in the air but also against targets on the ground — drone launch sites, command centers, and other facilities.

Regarding the meteorological probes launched from Belarus — primarily towards Lithuania and to a lesser extent Latvia, Pudiņš assessed them as a means of distraction, as they cannot be used as a means of military attack since they are not controlled.