What is known about the tunnel<\/p>\n
Lithuanian border guards discovered an underground passage near the village of Late\u017eeris that had been dug beneath the physical border barrier at a depth of about 1.5 meters.<\/p>\n
Reinforced with logs and wooden planks, the tunnel extended about four meters from Belarusian territory into Lithuania. Its entrance on the Belarusian side was concealed with camouflage fabric.<\/p>\n
Lithuania\u2019s State Border Guard Service noted that the tunnel was unfinished and did not cross the state border, so migrants or other individuals were unable to use it.<\/p>\n
After investigators completed procedural actions, the tunnel was filled in with soil. A pre-trial investigation has been launched, and those responsible could face up to two years in prison.<\/p>\n
Situation on the Lithuania-Belarus border<\/p>\n
The latest discovery marks the third tunnel found by officers from Lithuania’s Var\u0117na Border Guard Unit in recent weeks.<\/p>\n
On July 23, authorities found an unfinished five-meter tunnel near the village of Pies\u010diai. Just three days later, on July 26, another 11-meter underground passage, containing construction materials and buckets, was discovered near the village of Pertakas.<\/p>\n
Since the beginning of the year, Lithuania’s border service has recorded 12 attempts to enter the country illegally by digging underground tunnels from Belarus.<\/p>\n
Border security and sanctions<\/p>\n
The situation along the Belarusian border remains tense amid ongoing security challenges.<\/p>\n