Latvia Launches Operation Vilkaitis After Discovering Migrant Tunnel

The Government of Latvia launched Operation Vilkaitis on August 11, 2026, a coordinated security effort between the interior and defense sectors to curb irregular migration along the 456-kilometer border with Belarus and Russia. The operation deploys drones, helicopters, and additional personnel to monitor the external European Union border through the end of the year.

The security surge follows the discovery of the first known underground tunnel used by migrants in the Skrudaliena parish of Augsdaugava municipality. The tunnel was found around midnight Tuesday after the Latvian Border Guard detained 15 individuals. In response, Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava ordered ground scans along the external land border to detect other potential tunnels, noting similarities to passages found in Lithuania.

Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs characterized the migration as an organized business orchestrated by Belarus to pressure the Baltic states and Poland over their support for Ukraine. While the government is evaluating the potential closure of the Pāternieki border crossing, officials noted that illegal flows are currently occurring outside official crossing points. Additionally, the Ministry of Defence scheduled military exercises with NATO allies in the Sēlija and Latgale regions for August and September, though officials stated these exercises are not directly linked to migration efforts.