The flow of migrants from Belarus is directed to Lithuania: record numbers on Saturday
This year, this is the largest such number of border crossings not allowed into Lithuania. So far, it has been 124 – the number of illegal migrants VSAT officials prevented from entering Belarus last Thursday. On Friday, there were 122 of them.
Both Saturday and Friday, Latvian border guards did not have to turn back any illegal migrants to Belarus. This shows that the Belarusian services controlling the influx of migrants have left this border alone for the time being, and are directing the main flow to Lithuania.
Polish officials prevented 53 migrants from entering Belarus on Friday.
The last time the Lithuanian VSAT recorded a higher number of inversions than the previous day was on November 14 last year. That day, the border guards did not let in 126 intruders. November 12 the illegal entry of 144 migrants from Belarus to Lithuania was prevented, and on November 9 – net 281.
A total of 13,234 such arrivals from Belarus have been denied entry since August 3 of last year, when VSAT acquired the right to turn illegal migrants (midnight from Saturday to Sunday). Some of them have come to Lithuania more than once. Border guards also deterred a considerable number of migrants who had not yet entered Lithuania.
5,128 crossers were turned in by Lithuanian border guards, who worked professionally during the migrant crisis and gained public trust because of this, this year, and 8,106 last year.
Belarusian officials actively monitor illegal migration to Lithuania and the EU – they bring foreigners to the border and direct them to the territory of the neighboring country. Belarusian officials also help migrants to damage the physical barrier installed on the Lithuanian side or direct them to places where the concertina and fence will not be installed due to natural conditions.