Following an initiative by Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, as well as an assessment of the situation by the defence and interior sectors, a decision has been taken to launch Operation “Vilkatis” to ensure the security of Latvia’s eastern border. The operation is being coordinated by the Crisis Management Centre of the State Chancellery, with the services under the Ministry of the Interior – primarily the State Border Guard and State Police – and the National Armed Forces playing the main role in its implementation.
The Ministry of Defence will ensure the continued involvement of the National Armed Forces in supporting the State Border Guard by increasing personnel and providing additional logistical and technical resources, including the use of new technologies such as unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), helicopters and aircraft.
The State Border Guard, State Police, Defence Intelligence and Security Service, State Security Service and National Armed Forces will ensure the exchange of operational information on attempted illegal border crossings and the individuals involved, including information on the possible involvement of persons in organising illegal migration.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will ensure cooperation and coordination with Lithuania, Estonia and Poland to curb illegal border crossings and secondary migration flows.
The Ministry of Justice will assess whether the penalties stipulated in the Criminal Law are sufficient
for organising the illegal crossing of the state border, enabling persons to remain illegally in Latvia, and deliberately facilitating the acquisition of legal residence rights.
To address hybrid threats against Latvia more effectively and strengthen border-control capabilities, on the 11th of August, 2026 the Cabinet of Ministers will decide on establishing a special working group with specific tasks. The aim is to improve the effectiveness of measures to prevent border violations and ensure coordinated and harmonised action with Lithuania, Estonia, Poland and other countries in the region.
As part of the operation, modern technologies will be used more extensively to detect and apprehend irregular migrants and to protect Latvia’s entire eastern border. Unmanned aerial systems will be deployed more intensively in the border area to improve the early detection of irregular migrants and facilitate their apprehension in cases of illegal border crossings.
Illegal migration is an instrument of hybrid warfare and a deliberate provocation against Latvia
as a country situated on the external border of both the European Union and NATO. The instrumentalisation of migration by Russia and Belarus as a form of hybrid threat has resulted in a disproportionately high and growing number of illegal border-crossing attempts. Curbing illegal migration is a shared responsibility of all competent authorities.
An enhanced border protection regime will remain in force until the 31st of December, 2026 in the municipalities of Ludza, Krāslava and Augšdaugava, the state city of Daugavpils, and Kaunata Parish in Rēzekne Municipality.
Latvia’s security is based on collective defence with allied countries and comprehensive national defence, which is the responsibility of society as a whole – the defence sector, the interior system, municipalities, the private sector and every individual. By working together, Latvia can strengthen its defence capabilities and overcome any threat, the State Chancellery said.
Read also: Intelligence services warn of possible Russian attacks on critical infrastructure in the Baltics