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2 clusters · 10 sources · 2 days · First seen · Last updated

Category: POLITICS

Lithuania crackdown on Belarus tunnel smuggling

Entities: Rustamas Liubajevas · Lithuania · State Border Guard Service (VSAT) · Alexander Lukashenko · Martynas Katelynas

Overview

In late July 2026 Lithuanian border guards reported a network of tunnels dug from Belarus into Lithuania that were being used to smuggle illegal migrants. The tunnels were sealed and described as part of Belarus’s hybrid‑warfare strategy. At the same time, Lithuania’s foreign ministry proposed expanding sanctions to bar pro‑Russian individuals from public activities and tighten property‑purchase rules near strategic sites.

Two days later the interior minister announced that Lithuania will acquire a ground‑vibration detection system from Poland to identify tunnel‑digging attempts before they are completed. The move follows a sharp rise in secondary migration from Latvia and the interception of thousands of crossing attempts from Belarus. The new technology, combined with existing fences, is intended to strengthen border protection and curb further tunnel use.

Timeline

  1. 8 days ago

    [POLITICS] 3 sources
    Lithuania buys tunnel‑detection system to block illegal migrant crossings

    Lithuania will buy a Polish ground‑vibration system that detected a migrant tunnel near Pertako, aiming to curb rising illegal crossings from Belarus and Latvia, interior minister Martynas Katelynas said.

  2. 9 days ago

    [POLITICS] 7 sources
    Lithuania uncovers Belarus tunnel network and moves to tighten sanctions on pro‑Russian citizens

    Lithuania says Belarus built tunnels to smuggle migrants across its border, part of hybrid warfare, and proposes stricter sanctions on Russian and Belarusian pro‑Kremlin individuals, limiting public activities

Sources

alytiskis.lt · entornointeligente.com · entrevue.fr · es.euronews.com · europeaninterest.eu · europesays.com · forum24.cz · fr.businessam.be · it.euronews.com · ve.lt