Lithuania Detects Migrant Tunnels Along Belarusian Border Amid Hybrid Warfare Concerns

Lithuanian border guards have discovered multiple underground tunnels used by migrants to enter the country from Belarus. General Rustamas Liubajevas, commander of Lithuania's State Border Guard Service, stated that 12 such tunnels have been found since the beginning of the year. These tunnels reach lengths of up to 25 meters on the Lithuanian side and are reinforced with wooden beams. Approximately 40 migrants have been arrested while exiting these tunnels, and a pre-trial investigation is underway involving about 20 suspects. In one incident on July 26, a group of 20 migrants attacked border officials after emerging from a tunnel, resulting in one injury.

Lithuanian officials and security experts assert that these operations require logistical support from Belarusian authorities. General Liubajevas noted that the materials needed to strengthen the walls would be difficult to obtain without such help. Margarita Seselgyte of Vilnius University added that Belarus closely monitors its border, making it unlikely that migrants from countries like Afghanistan, Iran, or Sri Lanka could operate undetected. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has denied facilitating these migration flows.

Regional tensions remain high as other Baltic states face similar challenges. Latvia has recorded over 8,000 illegal crossing attempts this year, and the Latvian Interior Ministry has called for the closure of the Paternieki border crossing to ensure territorial integrity. Additionally, the Lithuanian intelligence service has warned of potential Russian provocations, including a possible false flag operation using captured Ukrainian drones to attack critical infrastructure.

Reporting on the event differs slightly by political lean. A center leaning source frames the tunnels as a hybrid attack intended to cause social anxiety and weaken European support for Ukraine. A center right leaning source emphasizes the physical danger to border officials and links the migration chaos to a broader strategy by the Kremlin to distract from planned military provocations.