Following the initiative of Prime Minister of Latvia Andris Kulbergs and an assessment of the situation by the defence and interior ministries, a decision has been made to launch Operation “WEREWOLF” to ensure the security of Latvia’s eastern border. The operation is coordinated by the Crisis Management Centre of the State Chancellery, while its implementation primarily involves agencies under the Ministry of the Interior (the State Border Guard and the State Police) and the National Armed Forces.

The Ministry of Defence will ensure the continued involvement of the National Armed Forces in support of the State Border Guard by increasing personnel and material resources, including the use of new technologies such as unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), helicopters, and aircraft.

The State Border Guard, State Police, Military Intelligence and Security Service, State Security Service, and National Armed Forces will ensure the exchange of operational information regarding attempts at illegal border crossings and the persons involved, including possible involvement in organizing illegal migration.

As part of the operation, modern technologies will be used more intensively for the detection and detention of illegal migrants, as well as for the protection of Latvia’s entire eastern border. Unmanned aerial systems will be deployed more extensively in border areas to improve the early detection of illegal migrants and facilitate their detention if the border has been crossed unlawfully.

To address more effectively hybrid threats against Latvia and strengthen border-control capabilities, on 11 August 2026 the Cabinet of Ministers will decide on the establishment of a special working group with specific tasks. This will enhance the effectiveness of measures to prevent border violations and ensure coordinated and harmonized action with Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, and other countries in the region.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will ensure cooperation and coordination with Lithuania, Estonia, and Poland regarding the prevention of illegal border crossings and secondary migration flows.

The Ministry of Justice will assess whether the sanctions provided for in the Criminal Law for organizing illegal border crossings, facilitating unlawful residence in Latvia, and fraudulently facilitating the acquisition of legal residence rights are sufficient.

Illegal migration is an instrument of hybrid warfare and a deliberate provocation against Latvia as one of the states forming the external border of the European Union and NATO. The instrumentalization of migration by Russia and Belarus as a form of hybrid threat has led to a disproportionately high and growing number of illegal border-crossing incidents. Limiting illegal migration is a shared responsibility of all relevant institutions.

A special border-security regime has been declared until 31 December 2026 in Ludza Municipality, Krāslava Municipality, Augšdaugava Municipality, the state city of Daugavpils, and Kaunata Parish in Rēzekne Municipality.

Egita DiureHead of Crisis CommunicationsCrisis Management Centre, State Chancellery