Latvian soldiers used tear gas and fired a warning shot after a group of migrants attempting to cross the country’s border from Belarus became aggressive and threw logs at security personnel, according to the Latvian military. Officials said the migrants retreated back into Belarus following the warning shot. Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs said attempted illegal crossings have doubled in recent weeks, prompting Latvia to reinforce border security, and described the situation as part of a broader hybrid threat.

Latvia, along with Poland and Lithuania, continues to accuse Belarus and Russia of facilitating migrant flows from the Middle East and Africa to pressure and destabilize NATO’s eastern flank, allegations both governments deny. The incident reflects continuing tensions along the Belarus-EU border, where migration has remained a persistent security concern since 2021.

Full report: Latvian army uses tear gas, warning shot against migrants from Belarus.