Lithuania's border authorities report no illegal migrants have been recorded at the Belarus border for 19 consecutive days, attributing the situation to cold weather and reduced pressure from Belarus.
According to the State Border Guard Service (VSAT) of Lithuania, there have been no illegal migrants recorded crossing the Belarus border for the 19th consecutive day. This development reflects a notable change in migratory patterns, previously linked to an influx of migrants from Belarus into Lithuania. The VSAT notes that Latvian and Polish authorities also reported no instances of illegal migrants being turned back at their borders.
Previously, the VSAT had highlighted that the lack of migrant expulsions was observed in similar periods during 2024 and 2025. The current trend is considered a significant reduction from prior years, where more than 1,600 individuals were prevented from entering Lithuania illegally from Belarus last year alone, compared to just 14 this year. Overall, since the onset of the migration crisis instigated by Belarus, Lithuania has denied entry to approximately 24,600 illegal migrants.
The surge in migrants into eastern European Union countries began in 2021, leading to accusations against the Minsk regime for orchestrating the crisis. This ongoing situation has implications for regional security and political relations, with Lithuania and its neighbors responding to what they perceive as a hybrid warfare tactic employed by Belarus.
