{"id":205335,"date":"2026-09-26T20:46:03","date_gmt":"2026-09-26T17:46:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/205335\/"},"modified":"2026-09-26T20:46:07","modified_gmt":"2026-09-26T17:46:07","slug":"latvias-border-chief-damage-to-surveillance-equipment-is-deliberate","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/205335\/","title":{"rendered":"Latvia\u2019s border chief: damage to surveillance equipment is deliberate"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n (mk.gov.lv)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

September 26, Pozirk.<\/em><\/strong> The deliberate damage to border video surveillance equipment and cables is not random vandalism, but targeted actions aimed at hindering border surveillance, said General Guntis Puj\u0101ts, chief of the Latvian State Border Guard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His remarks follow reports of damage to the automated surveillance infrastructure, including camera poles, cables and distribution panels, deployed along Latvia\u2019s eastern border.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The methods are becoming increasingly aggressive and sophisticated, with violators supported by neighboring states, the Latvian State Border Guard said. It described the efforts as an attempt to hinder technological infrastructure development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Puj\u0101ts said damage was being promptly repaired and work to fortify Latvia\u2019s eastern border is continuing, noting that each kilometer equipped with infrastructure and technology improves the ability to detect threats promptly and protect Latvia\u2019s external border and that of the European Union.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Latvia has completed work on eight of the 11 sections of its shared border with Belarus covered by the first construction phase, spanning 113 kilometers. Technical systems have been installed along 72 percent of the border, with final testing underway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the start of September, Latvian border guards have thwarted 1,000 irregular crossings by undocumented third-country foreigners via Belarus. The country reported 11,400 attempts since the year\u2019s start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On August 10, Latvia launched the operation Vilkatis to crack down on irregular migration by third-country nationals via Belarus. Initially scheduled to end on September 1, the operation was extended for another month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The flow of people eager to cross into the EU surged in spring 2021 after Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka, angered by EU sanctions, had indicated that Minsk would not prevent asylum seekers from Africa and Asia from using Belarus as a route to the EU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In June 2021, the Belarusian government suspended a readmission agreement with the EU in response to sanctions that followed the forced landing of a Ryanair flight in Minsk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Latvia, Lithuania and Poland call the migration crisis a \u201chybrid attack\u201d orchestrated by Minsk and Moscow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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