Latvia discovers second migrant tunnel on Belarus border

illegal migration underground tunnel Latvia-Belarus border hybrid warfare border security

Latvian border guards have discovered a second underground tunnel used for illegal migration on the border with Belarus. The tunnel was found in the Krāslava region on August 20, located approximately 20 meters from the border and concealed with moss and vegetation.

During the operation, authorities detained 28 individuals attempting to cross the border illegally via the tunnel. These individuals were subsequently returned to their country of origin. This incident follows a similar discovery on August 10 in the Skrudaliena municipality, where 15 people were detained after using a different underground passage.

In response to increasing migration pressure, which Latvian officials describe as a hybrid warfare tactic directed by Minsk, the government has implemented Operation Wolf. This operation involves increased presence of police and military forces, as well as the use of drones, helicopters, and ground-penetrating radar to detect potential underground passages and secure the eastern border.

Entities

Belarus · David Einhorn · European Union · Frontex · Greenlight Capital · Janis Dombrava · Krāslava · Latvia · Latvian Border Guard · Operation Wolf

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[DISPUTED] The tunnel was located approximately 20 meters from the border and was concealed with moss and vegetation. dzienniknarodowy.pl · polityka.co.pl · sputnik.by · niezalezna.pl · wiadomosci.gazeta.pl · +4 more
[● 9 SOURCES] This is the second underground tunnel discovered on the Latvian-Belarusian border in August. dzienniknarodowy.pl · polityka.co.pl · sputnik.by · niezalezna.pl · wiadomosci.gazeta.pl · +4 more
[DISPUTED] The Latvian government launched Operation Wolf to counter migration pressure. niezalezna.pl · wiadomosci.gazeta.pl · www.polsatnews.pl · www.wprost.pl · dzienniknarodowy.pl · +4 more
[DISPUTED] Latvian Border Guard detained 28 people for illegally crossing the border via a tunnel on August 20. dzienniknarodowy.pl · polityka.co.pl · sputnik.by · niezalezna.pl · wiadomosci.gazeta.pl · +4 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] On August 20, Latvian authorities thwarted 109 illegal border crossing attempts. polityka.co.pl
[● 9 SOURCES] The 28 detained individuals were returned to their country of origin. polityka.co.pl · niezalezna.pl · wiadomosci.gazeta.pl · www.polsatnews.pl · www.wprost.pl · +4 more
[● 9 SOURCES] The first tunnel on Latvia was discovered on August 10 in the Skrudaliena municipality. dzienniknarodowy.pl · polityka.co.pl · sputnik.by · niezalezna.pl · wiadomosci.gazeta.pl · +4 more