Croatia🏛️ PoliticsCenter8/11/2026

Latvia has discovered a tunnel under the border with Belarus

Latvia has discovered a tunnel beneath its border with Belarus and announced plans to combat networks it claims are facilitating an increasing number of illegal migrants crossing into the country. The government stated that military personnel had previously used tear gas and fired warning shots to stop migrants attempting to enter Latvia from Belarus, which shares a 173-kilometer border with the country. Latvia’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Janis Dombrava, outlined measures to strengthen eastern border protection, including increased collaboration between border control, police, armed forces, and security agencies, as well as more intensive use of drones for early detection and interception of unauthorized migrants. Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs emphasized that criminal groups assist migrants in entering Latvia from Belarus and then moving through the Schengen area, but their final destinations are elsewhere in Europe. He warned that Latvia would take action against these networks and identify all locations within Latvia that migrants use. The government pledged to work with neighboring countries like Estonia, Lithuania, and Poland to prevent further migration.

Border guards in Lithuania have discovered another underground tunnel near the border with Belarus, adding to a growing number of such structures found in recent weeks. The latest discovery was made by officers from the Varėna Border Guard Station, part of the Lithuanian State Border Service, during routine patrols near the village of Druskininkai. According to reports, the tunnel was located just meters from the physical barrier separating the two countries and extended approximately four meters into Lithuanian territory. It was reinforced with boulders and planks, suggesting efforts to make it more durable for potential illegal crossings. However, the passage remained unfinished, with no exit on the Lithuanian side, making it unusable for unauthorized entry. The discovery follows several similar incidents over the past few weeks. On July 23rd, border officials near the village of Piesčiai, also in the Varėna district, uncovered a partially completed tunnel extending about five meters into Lithuanian soil. Likewise, on July 26th, officers in the Lazdijai district, near the village of Pertako, identified a tunnel measuring around 11 meters in length, situated nearly 9.5 meters from the border fence. This structure, which appeared to be intended to bypass patrol paths, was also incomplete and lacked access to the Lithuanian side. These findings suggest a pattern of ongoing attempts by undocumented migrants from Belarus to circumvent border controls. Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland have long accused the government of Alexander Lukashenko of orchestrating pressure on the external borders of the European Union. The repeated discovery of these tunnels has intensified concerns that Belarus is facilitating large-scale irregular migration toward the EU. In response, Lithuanian authorities have launched investigations into each incident, aiming to identify those responsible for constructing the passages. Under Lithuanian law, such activities can result in fines, arrest, or even imprisonment for up to two years. The tunnels discovered so far have all been subsequently filled in to prevent their use. This latest tunnel marks the third such structure found by Lithuanian border guards within the last month. Over the course of this year alone, the Lithuanian State Border Service has recorded a total of twelve instances of attempted illegal entry via underground passages. Each case underscores the persistent challenge faced by border security agencies in countering organized efforts to breach national boundaries. The presence of makeshift tools, such as wooden supports and sand, suggests that some of these tunnels were being prepared for use, though none have yet been successfully exploited for unauthorized movement. The situation reflects broader tensions surrounding migration flows from Belarus into the EU. Reports indicate that the country’s leadership has been complicit in enabling mass movements of asylum seekers, often through coercive means. This has led to increased scrutiny of Belarus’s role in the crisis and calls for stronger international cooperation to address the issue. As border control measures continue to evolve, the discovery of new tunnels serves as a grim reminder of the lengths to which some individuals will go to evade legal immigration routes.

2 reports

HRT (Hrvatska radiotelevizija)State / PublicCenterFactual 50Objective 458/11/2026

Latvia has discovered a tunnel under the border with Belarus

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about Latvia's discovery of a tunnel and its planned actions against migrant-smuggling networks. It includes direct quotes from government officials outlining their strategies and concerns. There is no overtly biased language, and the report appears balanced,

Why factuality (50): This article also incorrectly reports the discovery of a tunnel under the border between Latvia and Belarus, attributing it to Latvia rather than Lithuania. It repeats the claim that Latvian soldiers used tear gas against migrants, which is not present in the primary document. While it includes some

Why objectivity (45): The article maintains a similar biased tone to the first, emphasizing Latvia’s efforts to combat illegal migration and portraying the situation as a growing threat. It quotes Latvian officials and focuses on their responses, creating a narrative that prioritizes Latvia’s perspective over the actual

Večernji listIndependentCenterFactual 50Objective 408/11/2026

Tunnel discovered under border with Belarus: Latvia raises alert and increases security

The article reports on Latvia's increased security measures along its eastern border with Belarus after discovering a tunnel used by migrants. Interior Minister Janis Krumins stated that border control, police, armed forces, and security services will collaborate more closely, including using drones for early detection and interception of illegal migrants. The government claims criminal networks assist migrants in entering the EU through Belarus, and plans to target these groups while identifying all locations within Latvia used by migrants. Latvia has doubled its police presence at the Belarus border and will cooperate with neighboring countries Estonia, Lithuania, and Poland to prevent further migration flows. Lithuania also recently reported finding a similar tunnel used by migrants.

Bias read (Center): While the article discusses a politically sensitive issue related to immigration and national security, it presents information from official sources (government statements, police actions) without overtly favoring any particular political ideology. The framing remains neutral, focusing on factual通报

Why factuality (50): The article discusses a tunnel found under the border between Latvia and Belarus but incorrectly attributes this event to Latvia rather than Lithuania. It also mentions unrelated events such as Latvia using tear gas against migrants from Belarus, which is not mentioned in the primary document. The a

Why objectivity (40): The article has a clear bias toward portraying Latvia as being under threat from an influx of migrants, using emotionally charged terms like 'increasing migration' and 'criminal networks.' It frames the situation as a security crisis and emphasizes Latvia’s response, while giving little attention to

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Latvia has discovered a tunnel under the border with Belarus

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