One of Russia’s neighbours has begun to dig up its own roads and build anti-tank ditches.

The dramatic move by Latvia – part of both NATO and the EU – comes amid growing nerves that Vladimir Putin won’t call it a day even if he wins his brutal war against Ukraine.

Latvia shares a 168-mile frontier with Russia and is preparing for the worst amid warnings of a looming Third World War.

The defences will be part of a unified Baltic Defence Line – in Estonia and Lithuania as well as Latvia – in Ludza region.
“We are digging up the road and making an anti-tank trench so that, if necessary, it will not be possible for vehicles to move along this road, including tanks,” said Lt Col Kaspars Lazdiņš.

“This ditch has specified parameters, and it has the appropriate depth so that it fulfils its purpose.

“We plan to dig anti-tank ditches along the border, as is happening here now, and then strengthen them with ‘dragon teeth’. But each neighbourhood will have its own solutions.”

The new barrier to keep out the Russians also includes razor wire.

Putin thought he’d breeze into Ukraine in February 2022 and conquer his neighbour within hours.

More than two years later, the brave Ukrainians are still fighting back against the Russian brutality – partly thanks to the support it’s received from its Western allies.

But despite facing massive personal humiliation, there are fears that the unhinged Putin could lash out at other countries in the region – and if he hit a NATO country, that could see things spiral out of control.

It comes as a respected Polish military figure has demanded yet more defences on NATO’s eastern flank.
Retired general Waldemar Skzypchak, a former deputy defence minister, argues Poland and Lithuania must immediately mine borders with Russia and Belarus.
"I believe that the Polish and Lithuanian borders with Russia should be strengthened, and echeloned minefields should be placed now, in peacetime,” he said.

“It may be too late in wartime to build fortifications on border territories.

“I am convinced that both Lithuania and Poland should start building mighty fortifications. There is no need to hide them."
Gen Skzypchak’s comments follow a warning form Polish president Andrzej Duda last week. He said a “potential aggressor must see our readiness”.

He was talking during drills between Polish and Lithuanian forces amid growing fears over Mad Vlad’s next move.

There are theories that the first step in a new world war could be for Russia and Belarus to cut off the link between Poland and Lithuania.