Latvia has accused neighboring Belarus of directly involving its military in facilitating irregular migration into the European Union, escalating long-standing tensions between Minsk and EU member states over what European governments describe as the deliberate “weaponization” of migration. Latvian authorities say newly uncovered evidence suggests that Belarusian military units played an active role in planning and executing migrant crossings, including transporting migrants toward the EU border using military vehicles.

In a statement issued on January 15, Latvia’s Ministry of Defense said it had identified several cases indicating coordinated actions by Belarusian officials and armed forces. According to the ministry, these actions went beyond passive tolerance of irregular migration and instead pointed to deliberate organization, logistical support, and direct involvement by members of the Belarusian military in moving migrants toward Latvia’s border.

“Identified cases indicate coordinated actions, including the transportation of illegal migrants using Belarusian military vehicles and the participation of officials in organizing attempted border crossings,” the ministry said. Latvian officials described the findings as credible and concerning, arguing that they suggest state-level planning rather than isolated or unauthorized actions by individual soldiers or border guards.

The evidence cited by Latvian authorities was reportedly obtained from mobile phones belonging to migrants who were detained after crossing the Latvia–Belarus border illegally. Officials said the........

© Blitz