Lithuania has claimed that migrant smuggling operations are increasingly relying on underground tunnels and concealed passageways from neighbouring Belarus, marking what officials describe as an evolving tactic in irregular border crossings.
According to the head of Lithuania’s State Border Guard Service (VSAT), border authorities have discovered dozens of locations where tunnels were allegedly being dug near the Belarusian frontier. The claims follow an earlier report that a tunnel extending from Belarus into southeastern Lithuania had been uncovered.
Lithuanian officials argue that constructing and maintaining such tunnels requires significant logistical support, including timber and materials used to reinforce underground structures. They allege that these activities occur so close to the border that they would be difficult to carry out without the knowledge—or possible assistance—of Belarusian authorities. Belarus has not publicly responded to these allegations.
Officials say tunnel-based smuggling attempts were first identified last year but have become more frequent in 2026. Similar methods have previously been reported along the Belarus-Poland border, suggesting that migrant smuggling networks may be adapting their strategies as border security measures tighten across Eastern Europe.
The allegations come amid ongoing tensions between Belarus and several European Union member states over migration, border management and regional security. Lithuania continues to strengthen surveillance and monitoring along its frontier while warning that smugglers are employing increasingly sophisticated methods to bypass border controls.
