Latvia plans to dismantle railway sections in the eastern part of the country that provide connections to Russia. This was announced by Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs and Prime Minister Evika Siliņa. The government intends to conduct a detailed analysis of the possibility of dismantling the railway infrastructure by the end of 2025, involving the National Armed Forces and in cooperation with Lithuania and Estonia. Authorities believe that the tense situation at the eastern border will remain relevant for a long time, which is why they are considering the dismantling of the railway as one of the potential courses of action. A final decision is expected no earlier than next year.
This is reported by Finway
Poland Receives Funding to Strengthen Border
Poland will receive nearly €44 billion from the European Union to implement a large-scale security program called ‘Eastern Shield’. The funds are provided in the form of a low-interest loan under the SAFE program. The project includes the construction of anti-tank ditches at the border, the installation of a large number of concrete “hedgehogs”, as well as the construction of shelters for military and civilians, bunkers for protection against weapons of mass destruction, and weapon storage facilities. The ‘Eastern Shield’ zone will cover a strip 50 to 100 kilometers wide into Poland. The work is planned to be completed by 2028.
“The ‘Eastern Shield’, like our eastern border, is a shared responsibility of the entire European Union. Europe has finally begun to treat it as a place where we invest European money, not just Polish money,” noted Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
European Countries Strengthen Defense Against Hybrid Attacks
European states are currently considering the implementation of new measures to counter hybrid attacks from Russia, including joint cyber operations and large-scale NATO military exercises. According to the analytical center Globsec, from January to July 2025, there were over 110 recorded cases of sabotage and attempted attacks related to Russia in Europe, particularly in Poland and France.