Migrants attacked border guards in Lithuania

Lithuanian border guards faced a violent confrontation with migrants who attempted to breach the border through a tunnel originating from Belarus. The incident, which occurred on July 26 near the Kapčiamiestis border post, involved approximately 20 individuals who emerged from the tunnel and attacked officers after several others were apprehended.

In response to the attack and the handling of the event, Interior Minister Martynas Katelynas has initiated an official service check into the leadership of the State Border Guard Service (VSAT). This review aims to assess the VSAT's actions and communication regarding the incident.

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Spain now has its challenges. This does not mean that other countries will not have them. The question is how well they can defend the external

VSAT Commander Rustamas Liubajevas stated that no border guards were injured during the tunnel incident. However, he acknowledged that the initial information provided to the interior minister might have been incomplete, suggesting a potential communication gap or underreporting.

Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius addressed the broader context of migration challenges, commenting on calls from some EU states to remove Spain from the Schengen Area following a migrant crisis in Ceuta. He deemed such reactions likely emotional and unnecessary, stressing that each member state bears the responsibility for securing its external borders. Sinkevičius noted that Lithuania itself has experienced various incidents involving illegal migrants being pushed from Belarus, highlighting the ongoing nature of these challenges across the EU's external frontiers.

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border guards did not suffer injuries during the incident with the tunnel in the Lazdijai district, near the Belarusian border, but the initial information provided to the interior minister may have been incomplete.