Lithuanian border guards discovered two unfinished tunnels dug from Belarus under the Lithuania-Belarus border, intended for illegal migrant crossings into the EU. Authorities launched investigations and increased border controls, viewing this as part of organized smuggling networks amid shifting migration pressures in the region.

Lithuanian border guards discovered two unfinished tunnels at the border with Belarus near Varėna in southeast Lithuania. The tunnels, approximately 1.5 meters deep and about 1 meter in diameter, were dug from the Belarusian side toward Lithuania but ended before reaching Lithuanian territory. One tunnel was around 5 meters long and the other around 11 meters, found near the village of Pertakas in the Lozdzieje district. The tunnels were believed to be intended for organized illegal crossings into the EU, potentially enabling undetected entry under the patrol road. Lithuanian authorities refilled the tunnels and opened preliminary proceedings for illegal construction of underground border passages, punishable by fines or up to two years in prison. The Lithuanian State Border Guard Service (VSAT) indicated these tunnels were part of wider efforts linked to migrant smuggling networks. This follows ongoing migration pressure shifts at the Belarus-EU border, with increased illegal attempts at the Lithuania-Belarus border and a decrease on the Poland-Belarus border, partly due to enhanced Polish border security measures. Lithuania has announced increased border controls and tighter cooperation with Poland and regional states to investigate responsible parties and smuggling networks.