Smugglers Dig Tunnels Under EU Border in New Russia-Belarus Migration Scheme.

Smugglers Employ Underground Tunnels

According to TSN.ua: In 2025, Polish border guards uncovered new methods for smuggling migrants from Belarus into Europe, including the use of underground tunnels. At least four such passages have been discovered beneath the border with Belarus. One of the largest was found near the village of Narewka in eastern Poland. According to reports, approximately 180 migrants, primarily from Afghanistan and Pakistan, were trafficked through this specific tunnel.

Tunnel Specifications and Poland's Response

The tunnel near Narewka is roughly 1.5 meters high and extends 50 meters into Belarusian territory and 10 meters into Poland. This incident is part of a broader migration crisis that has persisted on the EU's eastern frontier since 2021. In response to the ongoing crisis, Poland has constructed over 200 kilometers of border fortifications and installed a comprehensive video surveillance system along its border with Belarus.

These novel smuggling tactics highlight how criminal networks are adapting their methods to facilitate illegal migration. The Polish Border Guard continues to implement measures to prevent such attempts and maintain control over the border situation.

This incident underscores the complexity of Europe's illegal migration challenge, driven not only by political and economic factors but also by the evolving techniques employed by smugglers.

The discovery of these tunnels indicates that traffickers are persistently seeking new ways to circumvent border security, presenting European nations with fresh challenges in combating illegal migration. This situation echoes tactics seen in other global smuggling hotspots. In response, Poland is intensifying its border security measures and enhancing cooperation with other EU member states to improve control and safety at the frontier.