NATO states to build 'drone wall' across northwestern Russian borders
3 Min Read
Lithuania's interior minister says drones and anti-UAV systems, among other technologies, will be deployed along Russian borders spanning six NATO countries.
-
Lithuanian and Polish troops take part in a military exercise near Dirmiskiu village, Alytus district, Lithuania on April 26, 2024 (AFP)
Six NATO countries plan to construct a "drone wall" along the Russian border as tensions escalate, especially amid increasing declarations from coalition nations about their intention to deploy forces in Ukraine.
Lithuania's Interior Minister Agne Bilotaite revealed the plan after discussions with Estonia and Latvia, as well as Finland, Norway, and Poland.
Read more: Kiev drafts convicts amid manpower shortage, Russia offensive
"This is a completely new thing, a drone wall stretching from Norway to Poland, and the goal is to use drones and other technologies to protect our borders," Bilotaite told the BNS news agency.
"Not only with physical infrastructure, surveillance systems, but also with drones and other technologies," including anti-drone systems, "which would allow us to protect against provocations from unfriendly countries and to prevent smuggling," she added.
However, no time frame for the plan was provided.
Lessons of World War II
Russia began on Monday the first stage of military drills for the preparation and use of non-strategic nuclear weapons in its southern military district.
The Russian Defense Ministry affirmed that the drills were aimed at maintaining Russia's readiness to secure its sovereignty.
Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the exercises come in response to “provocative statements and threats against Russia by certain Western officials,” such as the potential storing of US nuclear weapons in Poland and recent French remarks of deploying troops and NATO forces to Ukraine.
Moscow's ambassador to the United States, Anatoly Antonov, stated ahead of the exercises that Russia's choice to perform tactical nuclear drills is a required response to the Collective West's "shameless and aggressive" tactics, which threaten Russia and its population.
Read more: NATO pushing Moldova military to confront Russia: FSB
Earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his address to the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, celebrating the 79th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany, that Russia will do everything in its power to avoid a "global collision", however, it will not accept any threats to the country.
Putin also said that the Russian military is "always on alert" and ready to defend its country's sovereignty.
"The West would like to forget the lessons of World War II, but we remember that the fate of humanity was decided in grandiose battles near Moscow and Leningrad," alongside other cities, he declared.
