MP's concern over ladders at border: video likely authentic

In mid-July, MP Ramona Petraviča from the opposition party "Latvia First" reposted a TikTok video on platform X showing migrants using ladders to climb over the Latvia-Belarus border fence. She stated that if true, it is a national security disaster and no surprise that Lithuania criticizes Latvia's inability to handle migrants. The video had 4,677 views and the account has only 288 followers.

The State Border Guard told Delfi that they could not confirm the video's authenticity without expertise, but after assessing the infrastructure, it is likely that the video shows the Latvia-Belarus border. The guard stressed that pressure remains high and they respond to every attempted crossing.

Interior Minister Rihards Dombrava, commenting on the tunnels discovered in Lithuania, said on LTV: "In our case, it's easier to put up ladders and try to cross the border that way." He also admitted the exact number of successful crossings is unknown, but he inherited data on about 1,000 illegal immigrants accumulated in Lithuania who likely came from Latvia.

Lithuania's Interior Minister Martynas Katelynas had suggested temporarily reinstating border control with Latvia due to a fourfold increase in secondary migration. President Edgars Rinkēvičs called that a catastrophe, while Lithuanian President Nausėda said it would be succumbing to illegal migration.

According to the State Border Guard, 87 attempts were prevented on July 29, with a total of 48,561 since August 2021. In mid-July, a criminal case was initiated regarding Belarusian officials' actions in organizing illegal migration.

To assist Latvia, Lithuania sent a group of 20 border guards with service dogs, and Estonia plans to send additional officers. Dombrava noted that measures are being taken to strengthen border guard capabilities, including involving the National Armed Forces.