"Latvia Bolsters Border Security Amid Escalating Tensions with Belarus"

Latvia has increased its border security measures along the Belarusian border due to concerns over the presence of the Wagner mercenary group and accusations that Belarus is facilitating illegal migration into Latvia. The border between the two countries is approximately 173 kilometers long, and Latvia shares a border with Russia to its east. Latvia has accused Belarus of deliberately bringing migrants to the border and damaging the border fence, leading to a state of emergency being declared in the border region in August 2021. So far this year, Latvia has prevented nearly 5,300 people from crossing the border illegally.