Eastern European Nations Reassess Border Security with Land Mines

In response to escalating threats from Russia, several Eastern European nations are contemplating the reintroduction of land mines as a measure to bolster their border defenses. This decision comes amid heightened concerns regarding the stability of NATO's eastern flank, particularly since the onset of Russia's military actions in Ukraine in February 2022.

Five out of six NATO countries bordering Russia and Belarus--Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland--are actively planning to enhance their border security. These nations have already invested significantly in various defensive measures, including the construction of fences and advanced surveillance systems. However, the prospect of deploying land mines marks a significant shift in their security strategy.

These countries have recently announced their intention to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, a treaty established in 1997 that prohibits the use, production, and transfer of anti-personnel mines. Norway is the only country among them that intends to adhere to the treaty.

The controversial nature of land mines lies in their indiscriminate danger to both military personnel and civilians. Unexploded mines pose long-term risks long after conflicts have ceased, with nearly 6,000 casualties reported globally in 2023, the majority of whom were civilians, including many children. Clearing land mines is a perilous, costly, and prolonged process, leaving lasting scars on affected regions. According to Handicap International, 58 countries remain contaminated by land mines from conflicts that ended decades ago.

Starting in late 2025, these five nations may begin producing and stockpiling anti-personnel mines near their borders. In the event of a crisis, these mines could be deployed rapidly. Although 164 countries have ratified the Ottawa Convention, 33 have not, including major powers like the United States and China, alongside Russia, which possesses the largest global stockpile of these weapons, estimated at around 26 million, many of which are currently being utilized in Ukraine.

The border separating these Eastern NATO states from Russia and Belarus stretches approximately 3,500 kilometers (2,150 miles), predominantly through sparsely populated and heavily forested areas, complicating monitoring efforts. Concerns regarding a potential Russian incursion into NATO territory have intensified, prompting NATO experts to assess vulnerable locations. The strategic objective is to create deterrents that would inflict significant losses on any advancing forces, thereby dissuading Russia from engaging in prolonged military actions.

To effectively secure this extensive border, millions of mines and other concealed explosives may be required. Such measures could render large areas uninhabitable for extended periods, with unpredictable consequences for both human populations and the environment. The plan has been described as a modern-day 'Iron Curtain,' reminiscent of the heavily fortified divides that characterized the Cold War.

Alongside the reintroduction of land mines, Eastern NATO countries are enhancing their security infrastructure through various means, including the construction or reinforcement of border walls and fences, the installation of state-of-the-art surveillance and early warning systems, and the expansion of troop deployments. Some nations are also exploring the deployment of drone defense systems and the modification of irrigation systems for potential use as trenches, while plans to plant trees along critical roadways aim to provide camouflage.

Particularly at risk is Lithuania, which is bordered by the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad and Belarus. The narrow Suwalki Gap, a critical land corridor connecting the Baltic states to Poland, is viewed as a likely target for initial Russian aggression. In response, Lithuania is set to invest approximately EUR800 million ($937 million) in the development of new land mines in the coming years. The Lithuanian Defense Minister has characterized this initiative as a response to an 'existential threat' posed by Russia, which has ramped up its own production of land mines.

Concerns surrounding the use of land mines have been voiced by various advocacy groups. Experts argue that while the security concerns of these Eastern European nations may be legitimate in light of current geopolitical tensions, relying on weapons that inflict indiscriminate harm and remain dangerous long after conflicts conclude is fraught with risk. Alternatives for national defense that do not involve such controversial weapons may exist, despite potentially higher upfront costs.