A recent article cites Polish officials asserting that the tunnels leading from Belarus to Poland were designed and excavated by highly skilled specialists, possibly including Kurdish and ISIS fighters, as well as members of Hamas and Hezbollah. The discovery comes as Poland speculates that Belarus has actively sought new and innovative methods for facilitating illegal border crossings for migrants, indicating a troubling shift in tactics in an already tense situation at the border.

Poland's Border Guard has reported a total of four discovered tunnels underneath the border with Belarus since 2025, underlining the ongoing challenges faced by the country regarding migration and illegal crossings. The situation is exacerbated by the rise in migrant attempts, with authorities noting a resurgence of attempts to cross the border from Belarus into Lithuania, particularly as winter approaches. The latest report from ELTA highlights that one of the largest tunnels, discovered in mid-December near Narveka village, was used to smuggle in 180 migrants, most of whom were detained after emerging on Polish territory.

The growing sophistication of these tunnels not only raises concerns about the tactics employed by Belarusian authorities but also signifies the involvement of external actors in this migration crisis. The collaboration with specialists from conflict zones may enhance operational capabilities for smuggling networks, suggesting a potential escalation in the migrant crisis that could have significant implications for regional security and international migration policies.