Lithuania turns back record number of migrants at Belarus border

Lithuanian border guards have turned back 50 migrants attempting to illegally cross from Belarus in the past 24 hours, marking the highest daily figure this year, the State Border Guard Service (VSAT) said on April 27.

According to VSAT, the migrants approached the border in several groups, including 11 individuals near the Lazdijai district who were stopped by patrols from the Kapčiamiestis checkpoint before entering the country. In total, 39 others were intercepted in the Lazdijai and Varėna districts. Among them was one woman, while the rest were men, Caliber.Az reports per Lithuanian media.

Border guards identified the individuals as citizens of Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan. Nine carried Afghan passports, while the others had no documents. A group of 19 migrants was tracked using a helicopter during the operation.

Elsewhere in the region, Latvian authorities turned back 26 migrants on April 26, while Poland reported no illegal crossings on April 25.

The previous highest daily figure in Lithuania this year was recorded on April 18, when 37 people were denied entry. The last time a higher number was recorded was on October 31, 2025, when 63 migrants were stopped.

VSAT noted that recent migrants attempting to cross from Belarus are typically men aged 20 to 40, described as physically strong and often attempting to evade contact with border officers.

So far this year, Lithuania has denied entry to 612 migrants. More than 1,600 attempts were recorded in 2025, compared to 1,002 in 2024. Since the start of the migration crisis in 2021, Lithuanian authorities say they have prevented over 25,000 people from entering irregularly.

By Sabina Mammadli