According to Ukrinform, this was reported by LSM, citing LETA.

The State Chancellery said the operation was launched at the initiative of Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, following an assessment of the situation by the defense and interior ministries, with the aim of ensuring the security of Latvia's eastern border.

The operation is coordinated by the State Chancellery's Crisis Management Center and primarily involves Latvia's Interior Ministry services — the State Border Guard and State Police — as well as the National Armed Forces.

The Latvian Defense Ministry will ensure the continued involvement of the National Armed Forces in supporting the State Border Guard by increasing the number of personnel deployed and providing additional logistical support, including expanding the use of new technologies such as drones, helicopters, and aircraft.

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The State Border Guard, State Police, Military Intelligence and Security Service, State Security Service, and National Armed Forces will exchange operational information about attempts to cross the border illegally and the individuals involved, including possible participation in organizing illegal migration.

Latvia's Foreign Ministry will ensure cooperation and coordination with Lithuania, Estonia, and Poland on measures to restrict illegal border crossings and secondary migration flows.

The country's Justice Ministry will assess whether the sanctions provided for under the Criminal Law are sufficient for organizing illegal border crossings, facilitating illegal residence in Latvia, and abuses aimed at obtaining legal grounds to remain in the country, the report said.

In addition, the Latvian Cabinet of Ministers will consider establishing a special working group with specific tasks to more effectively counter hybrid threats and strengthen border-control capabilities. The move is intended to improve the effectiveness of measures to prevent border violations and ensure coordinated and consistent action with Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, and other countries in the region.

As part of the operation, modern technologies, including unmanned aerial systems, are expected to be used more actively to detect and detain illegal migrants and to protect Latvia's entire eastern border.

As Ukrinform reported, on the night before Tuesday, a tunnel dug by migrants was discovered for the first time near the Latvia-Belarus border in the area covered by the Silene border guard station.

Photo: LETA, Evija Trifanova