National Armed Forces Publish Evidence of Belarus’s Involvement in the Planning and Organization of Illegal Migration

Information available to the National Armed Forces (NAF) and the State Border Guard, as well as recorded incidents, confirms the involvement of law enforcement and military structures of the Republic of Belarus in directing illegal migrants toward the Latvian state border. Identified cases indicate coordinated actions, including the transportation of illegal migrants using Belarusian military vehicles and the participation of officials in organizing attempted border crossings. 

During border surveillance operations, documents and communication equipment belonging to a Belarusian servicemember were found in the possession of one of the detained illegal border crossers. Subsequent checks established that these materials belong to a servicemember of the reconnaissance battalion of the 19th Guards Mechanized Infantry Brigade, stationed in the Vitebsk Region. The documents included internal unit documentation, including records of issued materiel and logistical equipment. 

Mobile devices belonging to detained illegal migrants contained images showing officials of the Belarusian State Border Committee together with illegal migrants, including inside military-type vehicles. Cases have been recorded in which Belarusian border guard officials are involved in transporting migrants to locations from which they are directed to attempt to cross the Latvian state border.
Additional cases have also been identified indicating the use of illegal migrants for intelligence-gathering purposes and other elements of hybrid threats. 

The National Armed Forces and the State Border Guard regularly record manifestations of electronic warfare originating from the territory of the Republic of Belarus, affecting the operation of communication and navigation systems in the border area. 

Since 2021, the State Border Guard, in cooperation with the National Armed Forces and the State Police, has provided enhanced support to curb illegal migration along the Latvia–Belarus state border. Over these four years, close and effective cooperation has been established among the National Armed Forces, the State Border Guard, and the State Police, jointly strengthening Latvia’s security. 

The organization of illegal migration, the transportation of migrants, and the provision of their accommodation should not be regarded solely as a means of illegal profit. The National Armed Forces emphasize that anyone who directly or indirectly supports the infiltration, transportation, or accommodation of illegal border crossers not only violates Latvian law, but may—often unknowingly—assist operations organized by the intelligence services of states hostile to Latvia, aimed at conducting reconnaissance, sabotage, or other hostile activities in Latvia and elsewhere in Europe. 

Residents are urged to report suspicious activities, individuals, or vehicles observed in Latvia’s eastern border regions to the emergency services by calling 112, or to the State Border Guard at +371 67913300.

Information prepared by:
Communications Directorate
Information Analysis and Management Department
Joint Headquarters of the National Armed Forces