Vinski village sits between anti-tank ditches and the border

Vinski, a village in Setomaa on Estonia’s border with Russia, is bordered by anti-tank ditches dug on private land and a defensive embankment, ERR reports. Residents have a second route out of the village, and a pond is being dug to drain excess water.

The village has seven households. Residents were concerned about the ditches’ steep sides, especially with young children in the village, and about water flowing into nearby woodland. They also feared that having only one road in and out could leave them cut off if it became unusable.

“My first fear was that the ditches were so deep that it would be difficult to get out if someone fell in, or if they filled with water,” resident Lea Ojamets said. She also pushed for a route out on foot in case something happened to the road.

Nearly 23 kilometres of anti-tank ditches have been dug on private land in Setomaa as part of the Baltic Defence Line. Setomaa Union head Margus Timmo said residents’ concerns were understandable, although no damage had occurred so far. He said the union had been working with villagers to find solutions since September.