Estonia intends to build 150 bunkers on the border with Russia, including on private land

Estonia plans to build approximately 150 bunkers in the Ida-Viru border region as part of the Baltic Defence Line, a project developed together with Latvia and Lithuania. The defensive infrastructure is intended to strengthen defence on NATO’s eastern flank amid concerns over the expansion of Russia’s military capabilities near the Alliance’s borders.

According to Estonian Defence Minister Martin Herem, approximately 100 bunkers will be located on state-owned land, while another 50 will be built on municipal and private land. The authorities will negotiate with landowners to lease the land, provide compensation or buy it back.

Estonia aims to have 600 fortified bunkers in place by the end of 2027. The plan also includes building anti-tank ditches and preparing concrete obstacles.

The measures were announced after Lithuanian intelligence services warned that Russia is strengthening its military potential near NATO’s eastern borders. At the same time, Estonian intelligence does not anticipate a Russian attack on NATO countries in the next year.