Latvia aims to complete eastern border fortification by 2027

Latvia intends to fully complete the fortification of its eastern border by 2027. The border fence, stretching 280 km, along with most related infrastructure, was ready last year, but work continues on complex sections.

In summer, construction began on additional infrastructure along a 42-km stretch in the most hard-to-reach areas of the Latvia–Russia border. Imants Mekša, project manager at state-owned Valsts nekustamie īpašumi (VNĪ), explained that these are swampy territories requiring specific engineering solutions.

"These are swampy areas, particularly wet places with very difficult or currently impossible access. We have prepared all project documentation for these sections, started and in some places completed deforestation. On one section along Lake Pitels, a pontoon patrol trail has been built, and technological infrastructure is now under construction," Mekša said.

Most facilities will be handed over by the end of this year, but a relatively small 12-km segment will only be completed in 2027.

To finalize the land expropriation process, the state needs approximately €220,000. These funds will cover compensation for owners of 30 land plots (averaging about €4,507 per plot), as well as legal documentation and property rights registration.

The total budget for the border fortification project is €166 million, with an additional €20 million allocated this year for patrol infrastructure and technology.

Construction of the fence on the border with Belarus, nearly 145 km long, was fully completed in July 2024.