The Lithuanian border police heard vibrations underground, and then they realized what was happening: 'There are dozens of such tunnels!'

Litavian border police detected unusual vibrations beneath the earth, leading to the discovery of an underground tunnel suspected of facilitating illegal migration from Belarus into Lithuania. The incident occurred on July 29, 2026, near the southern part of the country, where officers identified a passageway approximately one meter in diameter. Although the tunnel had not yet reached Lithuanian territory, its existence has raised concerns over increasingly sophisticated methods used to bypass the European Union’s external borders. According to reports from the Lithuanian National Television (LRT), the tunnel was located in the area of Varėna district, and its depth was around 1.5 meters. Border patrol equipment registered these abnormal vibrations, prompting further investigation. The discovery came after months of heightened activity along the Lithuanian-Belarusian border, where authorities have been monitoring increased attempts by unauthorized migrants to cross into the EU. The tunnel was found following coordinated efforts between Lithuanian border guards and Polish specialists equipped with specialized tools for detecting subterranean passages. Inside the tunnel, wooden support structures were discovered, suggesting that such construction would require local knowledge or assistance. This has led officials to suspect that the project might involve cooperation with Belarusian border services, despite the absence of direct evidence. Commander Rustamas Ljubajevas, head of the Lithuanian Border Service, confirmed that border agents had identified dozens of potential locations where similar tunnels could exist. He emphasized that while he does not believe Belarusian authorities themselves are directly involved in digging the tunnels, there is substantial reason to suspect they are either enabling or assisting in their creation. “It is almost impossible to transport timber and conduct large-scale excavation work without the involvement of Belarusian border personnel,” he stated. Ljubajevas noted that this is not the first time such tunnels have been discovered, as similar ones were previously uncovered along the border with Poland. In early 2025, Polish authorities reported finding a tunnel measuring about 25 meters long, which was believed to serve as a route for smuggling people or goods. At that time, some media outlets suggested that the design of these tunnels might have incorporated expertise from the Middle East, indicating a growing level of coordination among groups seeking to circumvent EU security measures. These findings have contributed to broader discussions about the evolving tactics used in the ongoing migration crisis, which has persisted since late 2021. Since that time, thousands of unauthorized migrants have attempted to cross into Lithuania, Poland, and Latvia from Belarus, primarily originating from countries in the Middle East and Africa. The European Union and these member states have accused the Minsk regime of systematically encouraging such movements as a form of hybrid warfare aimed at exerting political pressure on neighboring nations. Belarus has consistently denied these allegations, maintaining that it is not responsible for organizing or facilitating the flow of undocumented migrants. Lithuania, in particular, has taken a firm stance, reporting that it has prevented more than 25,000 illegal crossings since the start of the crisis. The recent discovery of the tunnel underscores the persistent challenge faced by EU members in securing their borders against organized migration networks. As the situation continues to evolve, authorities remain vigilant, employing advanced technologies and international collaboration to counter emerging threats.