Lithuania intercepts 35 migrants crossing from Belarus

Lithuanian border guards apprehended a group of 35 irregular migrants attempting to enter the country from Belarus on Thursday evening. The group was intercepted in the Varėna district near the Katros village area, within the territory of the Čepkelių Reserve.

Due to the unstable ground and natural obstacles in the marshlands of the reserve, permanent infrastructure such as concertina wire and protective fences could not be installed in this specific section. Instead, authorities rely on advanced surveillance systems located on stable ground to monitor the border line.

The apprehension involved a large-scale operation utilizing a State Border Guard Service (VSAT) helicopter equipped with modern technology to coordinate ground movements. Personnel from the Aleksandro Barausko and Kabeliai posts, along with specialized “Kovas” units and police, conducted the search. K9 units were also deployed to track the individuals through the dark, forested terrain. The migrants had split into several groups but were caught before they could move deeper into Lithuanian territory.