Latvia uses ground-penetrating radar to detect border tunnels

Latvian authorities are utilizing ground-penetrating radar to detect potential underground tunnels along the border with Belarus. This scanning effort is being conducted by the State Border Guard in cooperation with the State Police to enhance security on the country's eastern frontier.

In August, two illegal migrant tunnels were discovered at the border, one of which was used by 28 individuals to enter Latvia illegally. In response to these incidents, the authorities launched Operation Vilkatis on August 11, aimed at significantly reducing illegal border crossings.

Edgars Pinkovskis, head of the geodesy company Geomatic, noted that ground-penetrating radar is an effective method for identifying existing tunnels when operated by trained personnel. He suggested that while radar confirms the presence of a tunnel, other tools like specialized microphones or vibration sensors could serve as early warning systems for tunnel construction, though their effectiveness depends on the depth of the excavations.