Lithuania is introducing extensive security measures at a major power substation near Russia’s Kaliningrad region amid growing concerns over drone attacks, sabotage and other threats to critical infrastructure.

The Gižai substation, located about 30 kilometres west of Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave, is being developed as a major component of the Harmony Link electricity interconnection between Lithuania and Poland.

The project is expected to strengthen the Baltic region’s energy security by linking its electricity system more closely with continental Europe.

According to Litgrid CEO Andrius Šemeškevičius, the design of the facility reflects a shift in how Lithuania plans for threats to its critical infrastructure.

He said security planning had previously focused largely on natural disasters but now takes into account a wider range of conventional and hybrid threats.

The 35-hectare facility will feature reinforced fencing designed to withstand a vehicle carrying explosives, sensors capable of detecting potential underground tunnels and reinforced concrete structures around transformers to protect them from drone strikes.

Critical equipment will be enclosed in specially reinforced concrete structures, with the concrete manufactured using plastic fibres to improve its resistance to explosions and prevent it from breaking apart.

The design also seeks to limit the impact of any attack by ensuring that a single drone strike cannot disable large portions of the facility.

Key equipment will be duplicated so that the substation can continue operating even if some components are damaged or destroyed. Some specialised equipment could take years to replace.

Šemeškevičius said the facility was being designed to withstand attacks involving multiple Shahed-type drones carrying explosives, adding that some protected equipment would require artificial cooling because of the reinforced structures.

The additional security features are expected to increase the cost of the substation by at least €48 million, with the figure potentially rising if regional security conditions deteriorate.

Lithuanian Energy Minister Lukas Savickas said the government would ask the European Union to cover at least half of the additional expenditure, arguing that the cost should not be borne entirely by Lithuania.

Poland has also called for increased EU funding to help countries bordering Russia secure critical energy infrastructure.

Polish Deputy Energy Minister Wojciech Wrochna said the additional security requirements should be treated as a wider European energy-security issue rather than a cost limited to the Harmony Link project.

Harmony Link will pass through the Suwałki Gap, a strategically important corridor between Poland and Lithuania that lies between Russia’s Kaliningrad region and Belarus.

Security concerns in the region have increased following reported sabotage incidents involving critical infrastructure in Europe. Germany has attributed some attacks on its electricity infrastructure to Russia, a claim Moscow has denied.

Intelligence officials have also raised concerns about potential false-flag drone operations intended to test NATO’s response and unity.

Lithuania’s military is assisting Litgrid with measures to physically protect critical energy infrastructure and prepare the substation for modern security threats.

The Baltic states and Poland had previously sought €382 million in EU funding to strengthen vulnerable sections of their existing electricity networks, but only €112 million was approved.