Lukashenko Denies Belarus Breached Latvian Border as Experts Claim Intelligence Operation

Oct. 13, 2026 A Latvian border pole at the Latvian-Belarusian border. Gints Ivuskans / AFP Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Tuesday claimed Latvia staged a security breach on its border last week after a previously unknown group took responsibility for the raid. Experts told Latvian media that the group, Chyornye Rusy (Black Rus), could be a front for Belarusian and Russian intelligence services. Last Tuesday, Latvian authorities reported that masked and armed individuals attempted to force a group of 20 irregular migrants to push through the border between Belarus and Latvia into Latvian territory. The intruders damaged electrical equipment and stole surveillance cameras before retreating back into Belarusian territory. Lukashenko dismissed the claims as a fabrication designed for Latvia to secure EU funding. “We have absolutely nothing to do with this,” he said during a military readiness meeting, according to Belarusian state news agency Belta. “Operations involving entry into the territory of a neighboring state are impossible without the agreement of the president. Such things were not coordinated with me, which means they were not conducted,” he added. On Wednesday, Black Rus released a video claiming responsibility for the cross-border raid in which one of its members promised further incursions into NATO territory. Latvia’s state security service launched proceedings into the creation of a criminal organization aimed at committing grave acts against peace and national security, according to Latvia’s LSM public service media organization. Jānis Sārts, director of the Riga-based NATO Strategic Communications Center of Excellence, described the group’s video release as an “information operation directly linked to both the Belarusian and Russian authorities.” “These types of groups cannot exist in Belarus and Russia independently,” Sārts told LSM. Exiled Belarusian military journalist Dmitry Khalko described Black Rus as a “proxy” akin to the masked Russian soldiers who seized control of Ukraine’s Crimea in 2014. “If necessary, the group can be blamed for certain events, border sabotage and so on,” Khalko told LSM. “Now they have a fig leaf to cover themselves with and say it’s not us, we don’t know anything.” Read more about: Latvia , Belarus , Hybrid warfare Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Poland and Latvia Restrict Airspace Near Russian and Belarusian Borders After Drone Incursion Authorities said the measures are meant to give NATO patrol aircraft and air defenses freedom to intercept unauthorized flying objects. 2 Min read Latvia Restricts Border Crossings with Russia and Belarus Latvia accuses Russia and Belarus of intentionally orchestrating an influx of refugees to destabilize the region. 1 Min read Belarus Independence 'Under Threat' by Russian Troops: Opposition Svetlana Tikhanovskaya said that her country needed to fight "against dictatorship." Baltic States Ban Belarus Leader Over Election Fraud, Violence The Baltic EU members announced their sanctions in a coordinated effort to support the protests in Belarus.