Latvia finds second illegal tunnel from Belarus in 10 days, accuses Minsk of migration pressure

Latvian border guards have uncovered a second illegal tunnel facilitating clandestine crossings from Belarus in just over a week, intensifying concerns over migration tactics at the EU's eastern frontier. The latest discovery near Krāslava involved 28 individuals who had used the subterranean passage to enter Latvia.

The tunnel's exit was concealed under moss and vegetation, roughly 20 meters from the official border demarcation. Border guards located it while investigating how the group had managed to cross undetected. This follows the discovery of a similar tunnel on August 10 in Augšdaugava, which had been used by 15 people and had its exit just 10 meters from the border fence.

Latvia views these discoveries with extreme seriousness, suspecting Belarus of orchestrating migration flows to exert pressure on the European Union. Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs has explicitly stated that Russia and Belarus are using migration as a tool to destabilize the EU's eastern flank. The strategy, according to Latvian officials, aims to strain border security, police, and intelligence services, using migrants as a means rather than the ultimate objective. Belarus has refuted these allegations.

In response to the increased activity, Latvia launched 'Operation Werewolf' on August 11, enhancing security along its eastern border with a coordinated effort involving police, border guards, and military personnel. Advanced surveillance technologies, including drones, helicopters, and aircraft, are being deployed. The country is also accelerating the implementation of a geo-radar system to scan the ground for potential new tunnels, a measure prompted by these recent incidents. This year, Latvian border guards have already stopped over 10,000 individuals attempting to cross illegally.

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Russia and Belarus are using migration pressure to put pressure on the eastern EU and border.