On 5 October 2026 at approximately 20:30 UTC, at the Latvia-Belarus border near Silene in Skrudaliena Parish, Augšdaugava Municipality, an aggressive and armed escort group from Belarus attempted to push a group of at least 20 illegal migrants dressed in masks into Latvia illegally. The National Armed Forces of Latvia (NBS) stopped the border crossing attempt. Unlike previous incidents, this was a highly demonstrative and aggressive provocation. The armed escorts threatened NBS soldiers and actively urged and pushed the migrants toward Latvia. Several hours after the incident, masked individuals entered Latvian territory, damaged an electricity distribution cabinet, and stole border surveillance cameras before returning to Belarus. Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava (National Alliance) reported these damages. State Border Guard Chief Guntis Pujāts stated two surveillance cameras were stolen, suspected perpetrators being organized crime members possibly using Belarusian state services facilitation. Sabotage incidents against IT infrastructure have increased, though physical fence damages have decreased compared to the previous year. The incident is assessed as a deliberate provocation using illegal migration to pressure Latvia and thus the EU and NATO external borders. The Latvian government extended the enhanced border security regime at the Belarus border until the end of 2026, covering areas including Ludza, Krāslava, Augšdaugava, Daugavpils, and Rēzekne. In 2026, 11,925 illegal border crossing attempts were prevented, including 59 on the day prior to the incident. The sabotage and provocation risk remain high.

On 5 October 2026 at approximately 20:30 UTC, at the Latvia-Belarus border near Silene in Skrudaliena Parish, Augšdaugava Municipality, an aggressive and armed escort group from Belarus attempted to push a group of at least 20 illegal migrants dressed in masks into Latvia illegally. The National Armed Forces of Latvia (NBS) stopped the border crossing attempt. Unlike previous incidents, this was a highly demonstrative and aggressive provocation. The armed escorts threatened NBS soldiers and actively urged and pushed the migrants toward Latvia. Several hours after the incident, masked individuals entered Latvian territory, damaged an electricity distribution cabinet, and stole border surveillance cameras before returning to Belarus. Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava (National Alliance) reported these damages. State Border Guard Chief Guntis Pujāts stated two surveillance cameras were stolen, suspected perpetrators being organized crime members possibly using Belarusian state services facilitation. Sabotage incidents against IT infrastructure have increased, though physical fence damages have decreased compared to the previous year. The incident is assessed as a deliberate provocation using illegal migration to pressure Latvia and thus the EU and NATO external borders. The Latvian government extended the enhanced border security regime at the Belarus border until the end of 2026, covering areas including Ludza, Krāslava, Augšdaugava, Daugavpils, and Rēzekne. In 2026, 11,925 illegal border crossing attempts were prevented, including 59 on the day prior to the incident. The sabotage and provocation risk remain high.