Why Lithuania Is Installing ‘Dragon’s Teeth’ Along Its Border with Russia
Lithuania has completed a key phase of its defensive fortification plan along its border with Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave, installing rows of tank-trap barriers known as “dragon’s teeth”—concrete pyramids designed to block or slow armored vehicles.
The move is part of the Baltic Defense Line, a trilateral effort by Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia—all NATO members—to bolster defenses against potential Russian aggression. All three countries border either Russia or its ally Belarus, and tensions have remained high since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
“This is a precautionary step aimed to ensure more effective defense,” said Raimundas Vaiksnoras, commander of the Lithuanian army.
According to the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense, the new defensive line includes a mix of anti-tank obstacles, landmines, and metal hedgehogs, forming what officials call “counter-mobility measures” intended to make any hostile advance across the Suwalki Gap—NATO’s most vulnerable corridor—difficult and costly.
The effort is as much symbolic as it is strategic. Lithuania’s dragon-themed defense evokes the “aitvaras”, a mythical creature in local folklore, but these modern “dragons” are made of reinforced concrete—not legend.
The construction of these barriers began last year, with the government sharing images of the project on social media. Over time, officials say these tactical-level barriers will be integrated into a comprehensive national and regional defense system.
Meanwhile, NATO’s military presence in the region continues to grow. Germany recently confirmed plans to permanently deploy a tank brigade in Lithuania, further strengthening the alliance’s deterrent posture on its eastern flank.
