LatviaPublished: 17 August 2026 at 08:58

No detained illegal migrants or their transporters since start of operation "Vilkatis"

Defence Minister Raivis Melnis said that since the launch of the operation "Vilkatis", stepped-up border monitoring has not led to the detention of any illegal migrants or people transporting them.

Latvia's Defence Minister Raivis Melnis said in a Monday morning interview with Latvian Radio and Latvian Television that no one has been detained in connection with illegal migration since the start of the operation "Vilkatis".

Under the operation, authorities have stepped up monitoring of illegal migrant movement in the country's border areas, as well as surveillance of people involved in transporting them. The minister stressed that so far there have been no cases requiring detention.

Melnis did not provide further details in the interview about the operation's duration or future plans.

Comments

Choose a username (stays yours for good):

0/1500

Comments are automatically moderated. No hate, threats, personal data or spam.

Loading comments…

More in this category

Latvia

Police in Dobele search for vandals who destroyed flower beds

State Police are looking for individuals who damaged flower beds and road signs in Dobele on the night of August 4-5. The incident was reported by the State Police.

Apollo.lv · 9 min ago

Latvia

No illegal migrants or smugglers detained since Vilkatis operation began, says defence minister

Defence Minister Raivis Melnis says that since the start of the border-security operation Vilkatis, not a single illegal migrant or smuggler has been detained in the border zone.

LSM (rus) · 12 min ago

Latvia

Allied fighter jets down drone near Boževa Lake in Balvi region

Early Friday morning, allied fighter jets shot down a drone that had entered Latvian airspace near Rugāji in Balvi municipality. No residents or property were harmed, and the drone's country of origin is still being determined.

Delfi · 1 h ago