Lithuania's State Border Guard Service (VSAT) chief Rustamas Liubajevas told broadcaster 15min that his staff had discovered scores of locations where underground routes were being excavated between Lithuania and Belarus. He stated: 'Without logistical support from the Belarusian border guards, this would not be possible.'
Tunnel discoveries
VSAT previously reported finding a tunnel leading from Belarus into southern Lithuania. Liubajevas claimed that the Belarusian authorities were either turning a blind eye to or actively assisting migrants in digging these tunnels. He added that migrant smuggling attempts through tunnels have increased this year, and similar methods have been employed on the border between Belarus and Poland.
Allegations of Belarusian complicity
Belarus has long weaponised migration, with authoritarian ruler Alexander Lukashenko encouraging migrants to use his country to cross into the European Union via the Belarusian border with Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland. While Belarus and Russia are close allies, Lukashenko has so far kept his country out of Russia's war with Ukraine. He allowed Russia to use Belarus as a base for the full-scale invasion in February 2022 but has been reluctant to become directly involved unless attacked. Lukashenko reportedly told Russian envoys that there was 'no need' for Belarus to be 'drawn into the war,' adding: 'We also don't want to fight Ukrainians. That's why our position is peaceful.'
Liubajevas's allegations of Belarusian collusion in irregular migration into the EU suggest that Lukashenko may wish to continue exacerbating the migrant crisis affecting the bloc.
