As of January 15, 2026, Latvian military and border guards are recording information indicating the involvement of Belarusian forces in sending illegal migrants to the Latvian border. Such data have been confirmed in materials and form part of the official monitoring of the border situation.

the participation of Belarusian law enforcement and military structures in sending illegal migrants to the Latvian border

– LETA News Agency and the National Armed Forces of Latvia

The materials also note that coordinated actions have been identified, including the transportation of migrants by Belarusian military transport and the involvement of officials in organizing attempts to cross the border.

cases identified that indicate coordinated actions, including the transportation of migrants by Belarusian military transport and the involvement of officials in organizing attempts to cross the border

– in the materials

“During border-security measures, one of those detained during an illegal crossing was found to possess documents and communications devices belonging to a Belarusian serviceman. The inspection showed that the materials belonged to a soldier of the Reconnaissance Battalion of the 19th Guards Mechanized District. Among the documents was internal documentation of the military unit, including records of issued material and technical equipment.”

During border-security measures, one of those detained during an illegal crossing was found to have documents and communications devices belonging to a Belarusian serviceman. The check established that the materials belonged to a soldier of the Reconnaissance Battalion of the 19th Guards Mechanized District. Among the documents was internal documentation of the military unit, including records of issued material and technical equipment

– in Riga

“There were cases when representatives of Belarusian border structures participated in delivering migrants to places from which they are directed to cross Latvia’s state border,” the text states.

There were cases when representatives of Belarusian border structures participated in delivering migrants to places from which they are directed to cross Latvia’s state border

– in the text

In addition, according to Latvian forces, “there have been cases indicating the use of illegal migrants for gathering information and other elements of hybrid threats.”

cases indicating the use of illegal migrants for gathering information and other elements of hybrid threats

– in the Latvian military text

According to Latvian authorities, in 2025 Latvia recorded more than 12 thousand attempts by migrants to illegally cross into Latvia from Belarus. According to 2023 data, the peak year was almost 13.9 thousand such attempts; in 2024 their number decreased to about 5.3 thousand. Currently in 2026 no violations by Belarus at the Latvian border have been recorded.

The Latvian authorities continue to strengthen border protection and are considering further security steps depending on Minsk’s actions. The migration crisis at the border between Belarus and the EU has continued since spring 2021, and many countries consider it a hybrid attack coordinated by Belarusian and Russian structures.

Context and Timeline of Events

Documents of the Latvian forces indicate coordinated involvement of Belarusian structures in directing migrants to the Latvian border and using migrants to gather information and other elements of hybrid threats. At the same time, the Latvian authorities are strengthening border protection and are considering opportunities to adapt the security regime depending on Minsk’s actions.