Border operation "Vilkatis" launched on eastern frontier — locals feel at the centre of it

Since Tuesday, August 11, Latvia's eastern border has been under a special security operation named "Vilkatis" (Werewolf in Latvian). Services responsible for border protection have promised to deploy additional personnel and equipment during the operation to reinforce control over the border with Belarus.

The effects of the operation are most noticeable to residents living close to the border itself, who have found themselves at the centre of the ongoing effort. This raises the question of how the intensified border control is affecting their everyday lives.

On the ground

To find out how the strengthened security measures are playing out in practice, a film crew from LSM's Latgale editorial desk travelled to Silene, a village located right next to the border between Latvia and Belarus.

Judging success

According to the framing of the story, the success of the "Vilkatis" operation is intended to be measured using statistical data rather than subjective assessments from local residents. This means the final verdict on the operation's effectiveness will rest on concrete, measurable indicators related to the border security situation.

It remains unclear how long the operation will continue or exactly which statistical indicators will be used to evaluate it.