Migrants increasingly using tunnels to enter Lithuania, says border chief

Lithuanian border guards are encountering a new tactic by migrants seeking to enter the country: the use of tunnels. R. Liubajevas, commander of the State Border Guard Service (VSAT), reported that approximately 10 such tunnels have been detected this year, with some successfully used for illegal entry.

Typically, migrants found using these tunnels are deterred or detained, and the tunnels are filled in. Poland has faced similar trends for several years and has shared its expertise with Lithuanian officials. "Polish border guards also shared their experience with us, so although the new trend has emerged, we were already somewhat prepared for such actions," Liubajevas stated.

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This year, a new trend has been observed where migrants increasingly use tunnels to enter the territory of the Republic of Lithuania.

Lithuania's surveillance systems help detect tunnel construction while it is still underway. Border guards monitor these activities and prepare to apprehend or deter migrants when they attempt to cross into Lithuania. VSAT is also testing new technologies, including scanning equipment capable of detecting underground cavities, which was temporarily loaned by Polish border guards.

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Polish border guards also shared their experience with us, so although the new trend has emerged, we were already somewhat prepared for such actions.

Liubajevas noted that tunnels are usually dug from Belarus into Lithuania, often extending beyond the border line to make detection difficult. The longest tunnel discovered in Lithuania measured about 25 meters, with an estimated total length of 30-40 meters including the Belarusian section. These tunnels are often dug at depths of 8 meters and reinforced with wood.

Liubajevas suggested that the complexity and logistics involved in constructing these tunnels indicate involvement from Belarus. "This is a complex job that requires certain skills and logistics: wood must be supplied to reinforce the tunnel. This again proves that it is not just migrants involved in this activity, but the Belarusian side is also actively contributing, perhaps by providing logistics or allowing migrants to operate in the border area," he said. This, he believes, shows that the neighboring country's regime is maintaining tension at the border.

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This again proves that it is not just migrants involved in this activity, but the Belarusian side is also actively contributing, perhaps by providing logistics or allowing migrants to operate in the border area.