# Latvia intensifies border security via Operation Vilkatis > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/latviabelarus-migrant-border-tension > Updated: 2026-08-27T05:48:08.000Z. Sources: 46. Developments: 15. Following a technical outage that forced the Pāternieki‑Grigorowszczina checkpoint to close on 31 July 2026, Latvia intensified its response to a surge of illegal crossings from Belarus. On 11 August, Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs launched ‘Operation Vilkatis’, a coordinated security initiative involving the State Border Guard, State Police, and National Armed Forces. The operation utilizes drones, helicopters, and increased roadside inspections to counter what the government describes as hybrid warfare orchestrated by Russia and Belarus. Regional cooperation has intensified. On 12 and 13 August, Estonia transferred 11 undocumented migrants from Somalia, Morocco, Ethiopia, and Eritrea to Latvian authorities at the Ikla crossing. These individuals reportedly intended to use Estonia as a transit route to other Schengen Area countries. By mid-August, authorities reported nearly 10,000 attempted crossings this year. President Edgars Rinkēvičs suggested the migration surge may be a tactic by the Belarusian regime to influence Latvia’s October parliamentary elections. Frontex indicated that Belarusian authorities likely support the construction of tunnels used by migrants, including one near the Silene border crossing. In response to these threats, NATO is planning the Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative (EFDI) to deploy AI-assisted drones and sensors along the borders with Russia and Belarus. On 27 August, State Border Guard chief Guntis Pujāts called for the continuation of ‘Operation Vilkatis’, noting that intensified efforts have already led to a decrease in violators and the apprehension of two smugglers. However, he warned that provocations might increase in the short term due to the upcoming elections. ## Claims - Latvian border guards prevented 12,046 illegal crossing attempts in 2025. (disputed by 9 sources) - Latvian border guards prevented 12,046 illegal crossing attempts in 2024. (disputed by 2 sources) - In 2024, 5,388 illegal crossing attempts were stopped and 26 migrants were taken into custody. (disputed) - Technical problems disrupted the information systems at the Pāternieki border control point, making border control impossible. (corroborated by 10 sources) - The Pāternieki‑Grigorowszczina crossing is the only open checkpoint on the Latvia‑Belarus border. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Latvia closed its border with Belarus on 31 July 2026 due to technical problems. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Interior Minister Janis Dombrava urged citizens to avoid travel to Belarus and use alternative routes. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Latvia extended its heightened border‑guard regime on the Belarus border until the end of 2026. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Estonia will send additional border guards to strengthen Latvia's external border with Belarus. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Available information does not indicate external influence on the border control information systems. (corroborated by 5 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-27: Latvia's State Border Guard calls to extend migration crackdown Latvia's State Border Guard head Guntis Pujāts urges the continuation of ‘Operation Vilkatis’ to combat illegal migration and potential provocations linked to upcoming elections and Belarusian influence. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/latvias-state-border-guard-calls-to-extend-migration-crackdown ### 2026-08-19: Latvia strengthens border security against Russia and Belarus threats Latvia is boosting border security against Russia and Belarus amid rising irregular migration and hybrid threats. NATO also plans to deploy AI-assisted drones to monitor its eastern borders. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/latvia-faces-drone-intrusion-and-migrant-tunnels-from-belarus ### 2026-08-14: Estonia transfers 11 undocumented migrants to Latvia Estonian authorities transferred over 11 undocumented migrants from Somalia, Morocco, Ethiopia, and Eritrea to Latvia at the Ikla border crossing to prevent transit into the Schengen Area. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/estonia-transfers-11-undocumented-migrants-to-latvia ### 2026-08-11: Latvia launches Operation Vilkatis to secure eastern border Latvia has launched Operation Vilkatis to secure its eastern border against irregular migration, which officials describe as a hybrid warfare tactic employed by Russia and Belarus. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/latvia-launches-operation-vilkatis-to-secure-eastern-border ### 2026-08-05: Latvia Reopens Pāternieki Border Crossing with Belarus Latvia reopened the Pāternieki border crossing with Belarus on 5 August after a technical shutdown, keeping it open despite migration concerns and its role in EU‑China trade routes. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/latvia-reopens-pternieki-border-crossing-with-belarus ### 2026-08-03: Estonia sends police to Latvia to curb Belarus border migration Estonia handed over eight illegal migrants to Latvia and deployed an 11‑person ESTPOL team to the Latvia‑Belarus border to help curb a flow of over 100 daily illegal crossings, under a 1995 return agreement. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/estonia-sends-police-to-latvia-to-curb-belarus-border-migration ### 2026-08-02: Latvia Temporarily Closes Land Border with Belarus, Issues Travel Warning Latvia closed the Paternieki land border with Belarus for technical reasons, prompting a level 6/9 travel warning for Romanians and consular support via the embassy in Lithuania. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/latvia-temporarily-closes-land-border-with-belarus-issues-travel-warning ### 2026-08-01: Latvia moves to close Pāternieki border crossing with Belarus Latvia’s Interior Ministry proposes to close the Pāternieki road crossing with Belarus, citing illegal‑migration pressure and technical failures that have stranded freight trucks; the move would halt passenger‑ 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/latvianbelarus-border-checkpoint-pternieki-closed-truck-drivers-stranded ### 2026-07-30: Estonia detains dozens of Belarus migrants, Finland offers help Estonia has detained dozens of Belarus‑origin migrants heading for Finland; Finnish forces will assist and the migrants will be sent back to Latvia under EU rules. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/estonia-detains-dozens-of-belarus-migrants-finland-offers-help ### 2026-07-30: Latvia shuts Belarus border citing technical problems Latvia closed its Belarus border on 31 July 2026 due to technical failures at the Pāternieki checkpoint, urging citizens to avoid travel, while Estonia sends extra guards and the border‑guard regime is extended 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/latvia-border-control-suspended-at-pternieki-checkpoint-over-technical-fault ### 2026-07-28: Lithuania Deploys Border Guards to Support Latvia Amid Belarus‑Linked Migration Surge Lithuania sent 20 border guards to Latvia, joining an earlier nine‑person team, as both nations confront a surge in Belarus‑linked illegal migration; ministers from Lithuania and Estonia also discussed hybrid‑t 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lithuania-deploys-border-guards-to-support-latvia-amid-belaruslinked-migration-surge ### 2026-07-23: Latvia to Deploy New Border Measures as President Rinkēvičs Cites Belarus Hybrid Threat Latvia will soon roll out a new border‑security mechanism against a Belarus‑linked hybrid operation and organized crime, with tougher migration penalties and EU diplomatic cooperation, President Rinkēvičs said. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/latvia-to-deploy-new-border-measures-as-president-rinkvis-cites-belarus-hybrid-threat ### 2026-07-17: Latvia faces surge in Belarus‑driven migrant crossings, stirring Schengen concerns Latvia reports 111 Belarus‑origin migrant crossing attempts on 16 July, raising total to 8,253 this year and prompting possible Schengen border checks, with spill‑over effects on Lithuania. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/latvia-faces-surge-in-belarusdriven-migrant-crossings-stirring-schengen-concerns ### 2026-07-08: Latvia border guard urges stronger army support as Belarus migrant flows rise Latvia’s border guard chief says the force needs more army support to handle growing illegal migration from Belarus, citing political factors and a reinforced border regime extended to year‑end. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/latvia-border-guard-urges-stronger-army-support-as-belarus-migrant-flows-rise ### 2026-07-02: Latvian border guards use firearms to detain three illegal crossers Latvian border guards detained three Moldovan drivers and eight others who illegally crossed the Belarus‑Latvia border on July 2, using warning shots after they fled; criminal and administrative cases were open 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/latvian-border-guards-use-firearms-to-detain-three-illegal-crossers --- Cite as: Latvia intensifies border security via Operation Vilkatis. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/latviabelarus-migrant-border-tension