Plahvatustõkiste

Plahvatustõkiste is a type of Estonian military fortification built during the interwar period, specifically during the 1930s. These fortifications were designed to provide defense against potential invasions from neighboring countries, primarily from Latvia and the Soviet Union.

The plahvatustõkiste were built along the Estonian-Latvian border, approximately 30 kilometers north of the city of Tartu. The fortifications consisted of a series of trenches and bunkers, designed to slow down and disrupt the advance of enemy troops. The system was also equipped with barrier walls, barbed wire, and anti-tank obstacles to prevent armored vehicles from breaching the defenses.

The name "plahvatustõkiste" can be translated as "explosion barrier" in English. This refers to the idea that the fortifications would be structured in such a way that any attempt to breach them would result in a massive explosion, due to the presence of explosive materials and the design of the trenches and bunkers.

The plahvatustõkiste were part of a larger defense system designed to protect Estonia from potential aggression. However, the fortifications were never tested in combat and were largely abandoned after Estonia declared its military neutrality during World War II. Today, remnants of the plahvatustõkiste remain, serving as a testament to Estonia's military history and defensive strategies during the interwar period.