🇱🇻🇧🇾 MAJOR: Latvia suspects Belarusian border officials are involved in an organised scheme forcing migrants to sabotage infrastructure inside NATO territory. A new LTV investigation reveals: • 60+ cases of damaged border infrastructure in 2026, up from 23 in 2025. • Migrants unable to pay smugglers are allegedly threatened with violence or torture unless they sabotage Latvian infrastructure. • Targets include surveillance cameras and electrical distribution cabinets. • Migrants reportedly enter Latvia carrying tools, including metal saws, damage specific infrastructure and return to Belarus. • Smuggling routes reportedly cost around $5,000 per person, often paid in cryptocurrency. Latvia's Prosecutor General's Office opened a criminal investigation in July and says there are reasonable grounds to suspect Belarusian border officials are involved. Investigators are cooperating with Europol. The allegations of Belarusian state involvement remain under investigation.

🇱🇹 LITHUANIA SECURITY ROUNDUP - Several developments on NATO’s eastern flank over the past 72 hours. Russian Information Operations: New study analysed 358,000+ posts. Hostile narratives targeted energy infrastructure, Kaliningrad transit and undersea cables. Belarusian Smuggling: Six suspects arrested in balloon-smuggling investigation. 181 smuggling balloons intercepted and 67 drones brought down in 2026. Military Exercises: Around 2,000 personnel involved in security drills. Focus on checkpoints and critical infrastructure protection. NATO Infrastructure: Lithuania and Germany advancing new military facilities in Rukla. First construction phase expected by 2028. Defence Industry: Rheinmetall ammunition factory receives environmental approval. Lithuania begins domestic assembly of NATO-standard rifles. NATO Reserves: Lithuania hosts its first NATO Committee on Reserves meeting. A busy few days as Lithuania continues strengthening its defence capabilities and resilience against hybrid threats.