Latvian Soldiers Use Tear Gas and Warning Shot to Repel Belarus Migrants

Latvian military personnel deployed tear gas and discharged a warning shot into the air during a confrontation with irregular migrants attempting to cross the frontier from Belarus. The army reported on X that a group of five or more individuals acted aggressively and threw logs at soldiers stationed along the border.

Border Clashes and Military Intervention on the Eastern Flank

The incident marks a continuation of ongoing border tensions involving Latvia, Poland, and Lithuania, which have repeatedly accused Belarus and Russia of orchestrating irregular migration flows from Africa and the Middle East to destabilize NATO’s eastern flank. Both Minsk and Moscow have denied these allegations.

When the individuals persisted despite official demands, forces escalated their response. The army stated that one warning shot was fired into the air, after which the individuals retreated to Belarusian territory.

Escalating Pressure and Resource Strain in Riga

Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs detailed the growing strain on state resources during an interview, noting that the volume of migrants attempting entry has doubled compared to previous periods. While declining to provide exact figures for that interview, Kulbergs characterized the situation as a hybrid threat that has compelled the government to double its border guard presence.

Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs gestures as he speaks to the media in Riga, Latvia, July 16, 2026. REUTERS/Ints — Photo: Reuters

The influx has required significant logistical support from neighboring forces. Kulbergs stated that (the migration) is causing a concern for the society. It is disrupting people while confirming that the Latvian army alongside Lithuanian and Estonian border guards are assisting at the border.

Statistical data underscores the scale of the frontier crisis. Across the border, Lithuania reported stopping 957 foreigners this year and nearly 26 thousand since the crisis began in 2021.

Regional Diplomacy and the Debate Over Assistance

The mounting arrivals have triggered diplomatic discussions between Riga and Vilnius regarding mutual assistance. When Latvian Interior Minister Janis Dombrava visited Lithuania, he requested that Lithuania dispatch 100 officers to assist with security.

Lithuanian interior leadership noted that while two rotations of State Border Guard Service officers—each consisting of nine personnel—have already been sent to Latvia, any further deployments require careful assessment of domestic needs.

At the same time, higher-level political figures have pushed back against proposals for internal border closures. During a state visit to Lithuania by Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda asserted that reintroducing checkpoints between Schengen Area countries would represent a defeat in tackling irregular migration, emphasizing that priority must remain on defending the European Union’s external perimeter.

New Protection Mechanisms Announced by President Rinkēvičs

In response to the sustained pressure, the Latvian National Security Council approved a new border protection mechanism this week. President Edgars Rinkēvičs announced that the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Defense will oversee implementation of the strategy.

Belarus training migrants against EU border guards, Latvia warns | TVP World News

According to the presidential announcement, traditional physical barriers and surveillance systems are no longer sufficient on their own. Rinkēvičs emphasized that rapid response teams capable of deploying immediately to violation sites are vital, noting that detecting a breach is only part of the equation. He also pointed out that hybrid pressure from Minsk is compounded by organized crime networks engaged in illegal migrant smuggling, welcoming recent legislative moves to increase penalties for organizing illegal migration as a necessary deterrent.

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