Latvian authorities have discovered a tunnel used by migrants to enter the country from Belarus in the Silene Border Guard Unit's sector. The discovery occurred during an attempt to reconstruct the entry route of a group of migrants.
The tunnel was located in Skrudaliena parish, Augsdaugava municipality, approximately 10 meters from the border fence, according to Latvian authorities. While one report states the tunnel is 10 meters long, another report indicates the tunnel found in the Selija region was approximately 17 meters long. The exit hole of the tunnel had a diameter of half a meter, according to Latvian authorities.
People detained for illegal crossing through the tunnel
Latvian Interior Minister Janis Dombrava stated that this is the first tunnel of its kind discovered in Latvia. He reported that 15 migrants were detected entering through the tunnel and were subsequently returned to their country of departure.
Operation Werwolf and Border Security
Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs announced the launch of 'Operation Vilkaitis', also known as 'Operation Werwolf', to curb illegal migration. The Prime Minister stated that the operation will involve coordinated actions by all relevant agencies.
As of today, organized migration is over.
Prime Minister Kulbergs described the migration situation as a 'hybrid threat,' stating that Russia has been using the Latvian border as an element of hybrid warfare for five years. He added that criminal networks are specifically smuggling migrants into the Schengen Area and noted that migrants 'go where it is easiest.'
To strengthen the 173-kilometer border with Belarus, Minister Dombrava ordered the use of electronic devices to search for other underground passages. Latvia has implemented an enhanced border security regime along the border with Belarus until the end of the year. The protection of the eastern border will be strengthened through cooperation between the Border Guard, state police, National Armed Forces, and security services, alongside more intensive use of drones, according to Latvian Interior Minister Janis Dombrava.
We must make coming to Latvia uninteresting for migrants.
Regional Context and Cooperation
The Latvian government plans to cooperate with Estonia, Lithuania, and Poland regarding border security. Prime Minister Kulbergs mentioned that closing the Paternieki border crossing is one of the options being considered. Defense Minister Raivis Melnis stated that technology, including drones and video surveillance, must be used because sending only military personnel would not help reduce illegal migration.
In Lithuania, border guards reported finding a third underground tunnel near the village of Latezeris in the Druskininkai municipality in early August. This tunnel was found approximately 1.5 meters below a physical barrier and was reinforced with logs and boards, according to Lithuanian border guards. The Lithuanian State Border Guard recorded a total of 12 attempts to enter the country by digging underground this year.
Poland and the Baltic states have accused the regime of President Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus of instrumentalizing migrants to pressure EU external borders, though Minsk denies these accusations. Latvia has also accused Belarus of organizedly bringing migrants from crisis regions to the EU's external border.
In the Kaplava region, ESTPOL rotation 11 is currently assisting with drone and dog handlers, according to Latvian authorities. Rain Järv, leader of the rotation, stated that the situation has improved compared to the beginning of summer due to more active controls in Lithuania, Poland, Latvia, and Estonia. Separately, NATO allies will participate in military exercises in Selija and Latgale in August and September, though these are not directly related to combating illegal migration, according to Latvian authorities.
