Between April and August, Lithuania uncovered 12 tunnels linking the country to Belarus that appear to have been intended for migrant crossings, Interior Minister Martynas Katelynas said. He described the discoveries as a worrying sign of growing irregular migration and an unlawful route into Lithuania. Vilnius has strengthened border protections, drafted an action plan and stepped up cooperation with Frontex while testing ground-penetrating radar and procuring specialist detection equipment.
Lithuania Uncovers 12 Tunnels To Belarus — Strengthens Border Security, Tests Radar
FILE PHOTO - An undated handout photo made available on November 10, 2021, shows a Lithuanian border guard walking at the Lithuanian-Belarusian border (exact location unknown). (is associated with: «Lithuania uncovers 12 tunnels dug for border crossings from Belarus») -/State Border Guard Service/dpa
Lithuania's Interior Minister Martynas Katelynas said authorities uncovered 12 tunnels leading to Belarus between April and August that appear to have been intended for migrant crossings into the Baltic state.
Rising Concern Over Border Security
Speaking in parliament in Vilnius, Katelynas warned that the findings represent a "worrying development in the area of border security" and described tunnels beneath the state border as an unlawful route for irregular entry into Lithuania.
"The threat of irregular migration is growing, and tunnels dug beneath the state border are becoming an unlawful alternative for illegal entry into the Republic of Lithuania," Katelynas said, according to the BNS news agency.
Context And Regional Pattern
Lithuania — along with neighbouring Latvia and Poland — has repeatedly accused Belarus of organising transfers of migrants from crisis regions to the European Union's external border. Similar tunnels have been discovered on the Belarus borders with Latvia and Poland, prompting regional concern.
Government Response
Vilnius has responded by boosting border protection measures, erecting sections of a border fence and drafting a dedicated action plan. The Lithuanian border guard has intensified cooperation with the EU border agency Frontex and private organisations to improve detection and prevention efforts.
Authorities are testing ground-penetrating radar devices and procuring specialist equipment to detect underground cavities, Katelynas added. The measures aim to detect tunnels earlier, prevent illegal crossings and strengthen overall border resilience.
Officials say further investigations are ongoing and have not disclosed whether any suspects have been detained in connection with the tunnels. The new detection equipment and international cooperation are intended to reduce the risk of similar methods being used to bypass border controls.
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