Latvia has launched Operation “Vilkatis” (Werewolf), a large-scale wartime-level security initiative to curb illegal immigration along its eastern border, according to Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs. The border control effort responds to a sharp surge in unauthorized crossings orchestrated by Russia and Belarus as a form of hybrid warfare, stretching security infrastructure across the European Union’s external frontier.
Operation Vilkaitis and Wartime Alert Status in Latvia
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs announced the launch of Operation Vilkaitis on August 11, naming the initiative after a figure from Latvian folklore that symbolizes bravery in guarding borders, as reported by the Latvian Border Guard and Baltic Times. The operation involves coordinated actions across all relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Defense and the National Armed Forces (NBS), to minimize migrant inflows. Interior Minister Janis Dombrava confirmed that officials are evaluating all options to reduce illegal border crossings, including the potential closure of the Paternieki border checkpoint if security demands dictate.
Did you know? Operation Vilkaitis takes its name from the “werewolf” of Latvian folklore, a cultural symbol chosen by Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs to represent resilience and courage on the nation’s eastern frontier.
Surging Border Pressures and Underground Tunnels
The crackdown follows an unprecedented spike in unauthorized crossing attempts ahead of national elections, with the Latvian Ministry of Interior recording 111 people attempting to cross from Belarus on July 16 alone—roughly 56 times higher than the two attempts registered in neighboring Lithuania on the same day. Border guards have also uncovered sophisticated evasion tactics. According to interior officials, authorities discovered a 10-meter tunnel dug near the 145-kilometer border fence built in 2024, mirroring a similar underground passage found by Lithuania along its 502-kilometer Belarusian barrier.
Regional Hybrid Warfare and NATO Allied Exercises
Baltic leaders view the migration pressure not as a standard humanitarian crisis, but as an intentional hybrid operation designed by Moscow and Minsk to destabilize the EU and NATO. According to government statements, Belarus previously manufactured a similar border crisis in 2021 by pushing Middle Eastern refugees toward Poland and Lithuania in retaliation for economic sanctions. To counter these ongoing threats, Latvia’s defense ministry announced that military exercises involving NATO allied forces will take place in Selija and Latgale throughout August and September, positioning troops closer to the border to reinforce national security.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Operation Vilkaitis?
Operation Vilkaitis (Werewolf) is a large-scale, wartime-level security operation launched by Latvia on August 11 to control illegal immigration along the Belarusian border through coordinated military and border guard action.
Why are migrants crossing the Latvian border?
According to Latvian officials, Russia and Belarus are intentionally instrumentalizing migrants for hybrid warfare to create regional instability and provoke an immigration crisis within the European Union.
How are migrants bypassing the border fences?
In addition to surface crossings, border guards have detected underground tunnels dug near the barriers, including a 10-meter tunnel discovered near the Latvian-Belarusian fence.
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