NATO Allies Fortify Russian Border With 'Dragon's Teeth'

NATO member state Lithuania has installed anti-tank concrete pyramids, known as "dragon's teeth," before a bridge near its border with Russia, its Defense Ministry said Thursday.

The ministry said on X (formerly Twitter) that the pyramids were put up opposite the Queen Louise Bridge, which connects the country to Russia's Kaliningrad region, as part of a "precautionary step to ensure more effective defense."

"Today, Lithuania set up a blockade on and near the bridge in Panemunė, linking Lithuania and Russia," the statement said. "The setup includes mines, hedgehogs, dragon's teeth, etc."

Dragon's teeth, first used during World War II, are made of reinforced concrete and used to impede the advances of tanks and mechanized infantry.

Tensions between Russia and NATO have remained high since Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Moscow has accused the alliance of involvement in the war by providing Kyiv with military assistance and weapons. Russian officials have regularly floated the possibility that their country could strike NATO members in response to providing aid to Ukraine.

Newsweek has contacted Russia's Defense Ministry for comment by email.

In July, Latvia said it was installing anti-tank concrete pyramids along its border with Russia. Latvia's Ministry of Defense told Newsweek at the time that counter-mobility obstacles were being "procured and transported to temporary storage areas near Latvia's eastern border" in accordance with the Eastern Border Fortification and Counter-mobility Plan, which was approved by the Latvian government on March 5.

"The obstacles will be set on the border according to the mentioned plan," the ministry said.

In a press release on Thursday, Lithuania's Defense Ministry said the dragon's teeth installations are part of the country's "counter mobility measures."

"The Queen Louise Bridge is the property of the Russian Federation, so today we can install obstacles only in front of the bridge. Here, the movement of enemy forces could be blocked by our hedgehogs, dragon's teeth and barbed wire," Minister of National Defense Laurynas Kasčiūnas said.

Lithuania also plans to install sets of metal beams in the area, he said.

"The enemy will also be hampered not only by the steep slopes of the river but also by mines, dragon's teeth, Czech hedgehogs and barbed wire. It is important to be prepared for anything that may happen," Kasčiūnas said.

The Defense Ministry said that in the event of a "military invasion," the enemy would "need far more time and resources to clear the engineered obstacles that are being established, giving our forces more time to prepare for defense.

"Countermobility measures potentially reduce the movement efficiency of both enemy infantry and military equipment, the ministry said.

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