No illegal migrants recorded at the border with Belarus
Lithuania's border guards reported no illegal migrants attempting to cross into the country recently, continuing a trend from neighboring Latvia and Poland.
According to reports, Lithuanian border guards have noted that both Latvian and Polish authorities have not turned back any illegal migrants attempting to cross their borders recently. Specifically, Latvian border guards reported no such instances on Friday while Polish officials made similar confirmations on Thursday. This trend continues a pattern seen in the past few days, wherein only two migrants attempting illegal entry into Lithuania were turned away the previous Thursday.
In total, Lithuania has refused entry to 37 illegal migrants this year. This number is significantly lower than the over 1,600 attempts recorded last year to cross into the country from Belarus and the more than 1,000 instances the year before. The decrease in illegal border crossings signals a potential change in migrant flow dynamics as the situation at the border continues to be monitored closely by authorities.
The influx of migrants into eastern EU member states from Belarus began in 2021, with Western countries accusing the Belarusian regime of orchestrating this migration pressure as a form of hybrid warfare against the EU. As border policies adapt to the ongoing challenges, the situation remains sensitive, with ongoing discussions regarding security and humanitarian measures at the borders. Overall, the reporting highlights the ongoing complexities surrounding migration patterns and the geopolitical implications tied to Belarusian activities.