Lithuania Discovers New Tunnel Used for Illegal Migration from Belarus

Lithuania has uncovered an underground tunnel that was intended to smuggle migrants illegally from Belarus.

Lithuania’s State Border Guard Service (VSAT) announced this.

During the search operation, border guards used specialized equipment provided by the Polish Border Guard, which enabled them to locate the tunnel.

The tunnel was discovered near the village of Latežeris in the Druskininkai Municipality. It had been dug beneath the border fence at a depth of approximately 1.5 meters and reinforced with logs and wooden planks.

The underground passage extended from Belarusian territory for about four meters beneath the state border into Lithuania. The entrance on the Belarusian side was concealed with camouflage netting.

Construction of the underground passage had not been completed, meaning migrants were unable to use it to cross the state border illegally.

After investigators completed the necessary procedural steps, the tunnel was filled in. Lithuania’s State Border Guard Service reported that it has recorded 12 attempts to enter Lithuania through underground tunnels illegally since the beginning of this year.

This is the third tunnel discovered by border guards from the Varėna Border Guard Unit in recent weeks.

On July 23, officers found a tunnel measuring about 5 meters (16 feet) long near the village of Pieščiai. Three days later, on July 26, they uncovered another unfinished tunnel near the village of Pertakas. The passage stretched approximately 11 meters (36 feet) and contained logs, excavated sand, and buckets inside.

Under Lithuanian law, illegally crossing the state border is punishable by a fine, arrest, or imprisonment for up to two years, depending on the circumstances.

Lithuania plans to complete the relocation of its emergency stockpiles of food, fuel, and other essential supplies farther away from the Belarusian border to safer areas by 2027.

Militarnyi previously reported that Latvia had closed its border with Belarus due to technical reasons.