Latvian authorities have discovered a tunnel near the closed Silene border crossing used by migrants to enter the European Union from Belarus, the first such underground passage found in the country. Fifteen people were arrested in connection with the find.
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs described the migrant flow as a "hybrid threat" and announced "Operation Werewolf", a border security operation that will deploy additional drones and double the number of border guards. Interior Minister Janis Dombrava said protection of Latvia's eastern frontier will be strengthened through cooperation among border police, national police, armed forces, and security services. Kulbergs added that Latvia will coordinate with Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, and other nations to stem the flow.
The discovery follows a similar announcement by Lithuania in July. That same month, Latvian soldiers used tear gas and warning shots to stop migrants attempting to cross from Belarus. Criminal networks are believed to be smuggling migrants through Belarus into the Schengen area.