Latvia announced the discovery of a secret tunnel under its border with Belarus on August 11, 2026, amid rising concerns over illegal migrant smuggling. Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs launched 'Operation Werewolf' to dismantle criminal networks facilitating these crossings into the Schengen area. Latvia is strengthening border security with increased drone usage, closer inter-agency cooperation, and collaboration with regional neighbors like Poland and Estonia.
Belarus border tunnel discovery
- ▪Lithuania announced in July 2026 that Lithuanian authorities had discovered a similar tunnel used by migrants to cross the border from Belarus.
- ▪Latvia announced on August 11, 2026, that a secret tunnel had been discovered under its 173-kilometer border with Belarus.
Migrant smuggling networks
- ▪Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs stated that the final destination for migrants entering Latvia illegally is elsewhere on the European continent.
- ▪Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs stated that criminal networks are facilitating illegal migration from Belarus into Latvia to move people into Europe's borderless Schengen area.
Latvia border security response
- ▪Latvian Interior Minister Janis Dombrava announced that Latvia will increase the use of drones for early detection and detention of illegal migrants.
- ▪Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs stated in July 2026 that Latvia had doubled its border guards to counter the migrant situation, which he termed a hybrid threat.
- ▪Latvian Interior Minister Janis Dombrava announced plans to strengthen eastern border protection through closer cooperation among the Border Guard, State Police, National Armed Forces, and security services.
- ▪Latvian soldiers used teargas and fired a warning shot in July 2026 to stop migrants attempting to enter Latvia from Belarus.
- ▪Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs announced "Operation Werewolf" to target networks transporting migrants from the border and dismantle support points inside Latvia.
European migration context
- ▪Latvia announced plans to cooperate with Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, and other neighboring nations to stop the flow of illegal migrants.
- ▪European nations expressed concern over unregulated migration in August 2026 following an inflow of tens of thousands of people from Morocco to the Spanish exclave of Ceuta.
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