Latvia launches operation as tunnel found on Belarus border

Latvia has launched a joint operation to curb illegal migration along its eastern border, deploying police and military personnel alongside border guards, ERR reported. The operation, named “Werewolf”, is being coordinated by the country’s crisis management centre.

Authorities detained 87 people who had illegally crossed the Belarusian-Latvian border in the past 24 hours, bringing the total detained this year to 9,500. The operation will allow additional personnel, surveillance equipment, aircraft and other technology to be sent to the border, while vehicle checks in the border area will be intensified.

Around the migrant group detained overnight in the Selija area, authorities found a tunnel leading from Belarus into Latvia. The tunnel was nearly 17 metres long, and its Latvian exit was located within 10 metres of the border. It was difficult to detect because the opening had a diameter of only half a metre.

“A group of migrants was found. They were lying close to the ground. While trying to establish how they had entered our country, the secret tunnel was discovered,” Latvian Interior Minister Janis Dombrava said.

Latvian Defence Minister Raivis Melnis said deploying only military personnel would not be enough to reduce illegal immigration.

“We would then have to place them 50 to 60 metres apart. This problem must be solved with newer technology,” Melnis said.

Latvia is also receiving assistance from personnel from other countries. Another ESTPOL team, including drone operators, dog handlers and dogs, is working in the Kaplava area.

“There is a lot of work here, but compared with the beginning of summer, the situation has improved considerably,” said Rain Järv, head of the third ESTPOL 11 rotation. He said more active checks by Lithuania, Poland, Latvia and Estonia had contributed to the improvement.

Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs said Latvia would help Lithuania, Estonia or Poland if needed, noting that the routes used by migrants change according to where crossings are easier.