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Lithuania Fortifies Key Substation Near Russia Against Drone Attacks
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Moneycontrol•22-09-2026, 12:05
Lithuania Fortifies Key Substation Near Russia Against Drone Attacks
- •Lithuania is building the Gizai substation, a critical link to Western Europe's power grid, approximately 30 km west of Russia's Kaliningrad exclave.
- •The substation incorporates advanced defenses, including blast-resistant fencing, tunnel sensors, and concrete 'sarcophagi' for transformers to withstand explosive drone attacks.
- •This project is a direct response to increased regional tensions and sabotage threats, with intelligence sources warning of potential Russian 'false flag' drone attacks to test NATO unity.
- •The Gizai substation is a crucial component of the Harmony Link interconnection with Poland, vital for the Baltic states' energy independence from Russia's grid.
- •Lithuania plans to seek significant EU funding to cover the increased security costs, which add at least €48 million to the project, arguing these expenses should not fall solely on border nations.
Key Questions Answered
The Gizai substation will feature fences designed to withstand explosives-laden trucks, tunnel-detecting sensors, and reinforced-concrete sarcophagi with plastic threads and artificial cooling to protect transformers from military drone attacks.
Lithuania plans to ask the European Union to cover at least half of the costs for the Gizai substation, which has become at least €48 million more expensive due to added security measures.
The Harmony Link interconnection connects the Baltic states' power grids with the rest of the European Union following their decoupling from Russia's grid, serving as a crucial lifeline in the event of a system collapse.
