Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia agreed on the creation of a unified Baltic Defense Line two years ago. However, border residents still did not know whether their property would be affected — and to what extent. In January, the first expropriation notices were received by those whose lands are right at the border, reports the De facto program of Latvian television.
What is happening
Of all the municipalities through which the Baltic Defense Line runs, the Alūksne municipality was visited last by the Ministry of Defense. Several dozen residents attended the meeting a week ago.
Aivars Delperis came because his property is located close to the border, but he has not yet received any notices: "I want to know how close or far from the border this zone will be and whether it will affect my property." And if it does affect it — will it be purchased or can he continue farming.
Only in mid-January did the owners of the lands needed for the first phase of work receive expropriation notices. Those whose property will be needed in the second phase will have to wait until spring.
One participant in the meeting acknowledges: "The first phase may have been completed. Notices were received, perhaps, with a delay, but everyone was prepared for this. The second phase is underway, and it would be nice if the notices arrived on time — so that those who are farming, who invest resources, time, and labor, understand what awaits them."
Who will be affected and how compensation will be provided
Overall, plans to counter mobility will affect an area of about two thousand hectares in Vidzeme and Latgale — across six municipalities. The total number of owners is 1,500.
So far, a decision has only been made regarding the first phase: 377 plots of land with a total area of 349 hectares. Of these, 77% are private property (154 plots belong to individuals, 129 to legal entities). The lists for the remaining phases are still being developed.
The Ministry of Defense promises: no property will be left without access, land will be purchased at market value. If grain has been sown — it will be compensated as well. Obligations to the Rural Support Service will be canceled, and expenses for document processing will be covered.
"Our main task is not to impact the lives of the civilian population. Barriers will not go through populated areas, through the middle of fields where farmers work, or through houses — that will not happen," emphasizes Colonel Andris Rieksts of the Joint Staff of the National Armed Forces.
Chairman of the Alūksne municipality Dzintars Adlers (New Unity) believes that the general information was sufficient, but there was a lack of specifics: "Every owner sees their hectares on which grain is sown."
Farmer Guntars Sniedzans, who has already received a notice, admits: the meeting did not provide him with the expected answers.
What has already been done
The first barriers — anti-tank hedgehogs, "dragon's teeth," concrete blocks — appeared at the eastern border a year and a half ago. They were placed at roads leading to the aggressor countries.
However, blocking only the roads is not enough — they can be bypassed. Therefore, more comprehensive measures are planned — up to 30 kilometers from the border.
"Barriers are good for stopping equipment, but to be effective, they need to be supplemented with anti-tank mines. And the mines themselves will not fight — all of this must be covered by firepower. Only then do the barriers work," explains Colonel Rieksts.
It is still unknown when and what property will be affected by the work; some forest owners have already cut down trees. The plans are not significantly affected, says the colonel: "In some places, barriers need to be replanned, but overall the impact is small."
Timelines and funding
The work is divided into three phases. The first two are more noticeable, the third — with fire positions — is classified.
Regulatory acts were developed more slowly than planned: the list of properties for the first phase was approved only at the end of December. Minister of Defense Andris Spruds (Progressives) acknowledges the delay but notes: "Compared to our neighbors, we have done a lot. No other country has such a law that we passed through parliament."
The execution of construction works has been entrusted to Valsts nekustāmie īpašumi (VNĪ). The enterprise received requirements from the Ministry of Defense in mid-December and is preparing specifications for the first procurements. The minister asserts that construction will begin this year.
The Baltic Defense Line is expected to be completed by 2028. The total budget is €303 million. Over the past two years, €65 million has been spent, with €55 million planned for this year, and the remainder for 2027–2028.
The issue of mines
A contract for the procurement of anti-tank mines has already been signed. However, anti-personnel mines are currently not being produced — consultations are ongoing with Finland, Poland, and Lithuania.
"The options are either to produce them ourselves or in the region. The Finnish industry has stated that it will resume production — they also exited the convention that prohibited this. We are determining the interest and capacity of the local industry," says State Secretary of the Ministry of Defense Aivars Puriņš.
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