Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to have coordinated with Libyan military strongman Gen Khalifa Haftar to increase migrant flows into Europe through irregular flights from Benghazi, Libya, to Minsk, Belarus, facilitating a new migration crisis along the EU's eastern frontier. The European Commission tracked a recent spike in flights between the two cities operated by Belarus Airlines, which rapidly increased between May and July 2025. Belarusian officials are accused of advising migrants on how to cross into Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. Analysts believe this cooperation serves as a continuation of hybrid warfare tactics similar to those used by Belarus in 2021, aimed at destabilizing the EU and distracting from Russia’s Ukraine invasion. Haftar’s forces in Libya control key migration routes from Africa to Europe, and Russian military equipment and influence are reportedly expanding in Libya. EU officials warn that Russia is weaponizing migration as a tool against Europe, evidencing a coordinated hybrid attack combining geopolitical and migration pressure.

Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to have coordinated with Libyan military strongman Gen Khalifa Haftar to increase migrant flows into Europe through irregular flights from Benghazi, Libya, to Minsk, Belarus, facilitating a new migration crisis along the EU's eastern frontier. The European Commission tracked a recent spike in flights between the two cities operated by Belarus Airlines, which rapidly increased between May and July 2025. Belarusian officials are accused of advising migrants on how to cross into Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. Analysts believe this cooperation serves as a continuation of hybrid warfare tactics similar to those used by Belarus in 2021, aimed at destabilizing the EU and distracting from Russia’s Ukraine invasion. Haftar’s forces in Libya control key migration routes from Africa to Europe, and Russian military equipment and influence are reportedly expanding in Libya. EU officials warn that Russia is weaponizing migration as a tool against Europe, evidencing a coordinated hybrid attack combining geopolitical and migration pressure.