Guntis Pujāts, commander of the Latvian State Border Guard (VRS), reported on July 9, 2026, that migrant smugglers have become more aggressive at the Latvian border. Since April 2026, border guards stopped 7,634 illegal border violators, 800 more than in the previous year. Some days see more than 200 attempted illegal entries. Methods used by guards to deter crossings include special equipment, weapons, and warning shots. Violators have rammed patrol vehicles and caused accidents. This year, 87 smugglers involved in illegal transport were apprehended, nearly doubling last year's total of 90. Latvia is the primary target for destabilization by the Belarusian regime compared to Poland and Lithuania. Factors include Latvia's active support for Ukraine, restrictions on Russian language media, Russian claims of Latvian territory being used as a base for strikes on Russia, and the upcoming Saeima elections. Around 10% of violators are not stopped at the border requiring inland pursuits and cross-border cooperation. The Border Guard calls for more support from the National Armed Forces, including mixed patrols with soldiers or National Guard units. While drug trafficking and organized crime also challenge the Latvian-Russian border, the main issues are concentrated on the Latvian-Belarusian border.

Guntis Pujāts, commander of the Latvian State Border Guard (VRS), reported on July 9, 2026, that migrant smugglers have become more aggressive at the Latvian border. Since April 2026, border guards stopped 7,634 illegal border violators, 800 more than in the previous year. Some days see more than 200 attempted illegal entries. Methods used by guards to deter crossings include special equipment, weapons, and warning shots. Violators have rammed patrol vehicles and caused accidents. This year, 87 smugglers involved in illegal transport were apprehended, nearly doubling last year's total of 90. Latvia is the primary target for destabilization by the Belarusian regime compared to Poland and Lithuania. Factors include Latvia's active support for Ukraine, restrictions on Russian language media, Russian claims of Latvian territory being used as a base for strikes on Russia, and the upcoming Saeima elections. Around 10% of violators are not stopped at the border requiring inland pursuits and cross-border cooperation. The Border Guard calls for more support from the National Armed Forces, including mixed patrols with soldiers or National Guard units. While drug trafficking and organized crime also challenge the Latvian-Russian border, the main issues are concentrated on the Latvian-Belarusian border.