Elements of Information Warfare During Migration Crisis on the Belarus–EU Border

At the beginning of summer 2021, Lithuania faced an increased flood of illegal migrants from the territory of Belarus. According to official statistics, 4226 migrants crossed the border illegally and were detained in Lithuania in a relatively short period of time, from January to November 2021. Most of them were citizens of Iraq, others were from Congo, Syria, Cameroon, and Afghanistan.

In comparison, during all twelve months of 2020, only 81 illegal migrants were detained in Lithuania. The recent crisis was strongly initiated by Belarusian authorities, using it as a tool to antagonize the sanctions imposed by the European Union last year. Foreign Minister of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis indicated the situation as “an operation of hybrid warfare against Lithuania”, as he accused Minsk of weaponizing migrants. At the beginning of July, Lithuania declared a state of emergency due to the ongoing migration crisis on the border.