Storm damages Latvia’s eastern border fence at 124 locations

Storm damage affected Latvia’s Interior Ministry services, including the State Border Guard, during the weekend, LSM reported. Falling trees damaged the fence built along the country’s eastern border, as well as several buildings and pieces of equipment.

The State Fire and Rescue Service and the Emergency Medical Service also reported fuel shortages and communication problems in some locations.

The Border Guard said power outages significantly disrupted its work. Several units experienced problems with electricity, leaving video surveillance cameras partly or completely unavailable and cutting internet and communications. Radios remained operational, while mobile and even landline phones did not work. Staff also used Starlink satellite communications.

Operations at the Terehova border crossing point were suspended for several hours because databases were not working, preventing border checks. Vehicles could not be called for border crossing through the electronic queue reservation system. Problems were also recorded with fire alarm systems.

In total, falling trees caused 124 sections of the border fence to be damaged. Seven technological devices and seven buildings were also damaged.

The Border Guard said its facilities were equipped with generators and that its own fuel stations were available, allowing it to continue operating despite the storm.

During the weekend, the Border Guard stopped 74 people attempting to cross the Latvia-Belarus border illegally.

Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava said the Border Guard and the State Fire and Rescue Service had been instructed to remove the storm damage and restore the affected infrastructure as quickly as possible. He said weather conditions had reduced attempts to cross the state border illegally.