This footage allegedly shows Belarusian border guards escorting illegal immigrants across the border into EU-member neighbour Lithuania as part of a retaliation against recent sanctions.

The Lithuanian authorities suspect Belarus of intentionally helping migrants, mostly from Iraq, cross into the EU after border footage was filmed from a helicopter by members of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) on 1st August.

A Frontex spokesperson said a vehicle seen escorting the migrants across the border is commonly used by Belarusian border guards.

At the end of May, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko announced that the government would no longer help Western nations control drug trafficking and illegal immigration on the border with Belarus in response to European sanctions.

According to reports, around 180 migrants, mostly Iraqis, were sent back to Belarus on 3rd August on orders of the Interior Ministry in Lithuania.

Border Guard Service chief Rustamas Liubajevas said: “Anyone who tries to enter Lithuanian territory illegally will be refused entry and directed to the nearest operational international border control point.”

The European Commission’s spokesman for migration, home affairs, and citizenship, Adalbert Jahnz, said on 3rd August: “The whole situation at the Belarusian-Lithuanian border is of concern to the EU.”

Jahnz also said that the Commission is cooperating with Iraqi authorities concerning the increased number of flights from the country to Belarus. Many passengers are believed to be among those trying to cross into the EU.

According to reports, over 4,000 migrants have been stopped at the Lithuanian border so far in 2021 compared to 81 last year.

Over two-thirds were from Iraq and apparently arrived in Belarus on the increased flights between Baghdad and Minsk.

Belarus is reportedly organising more direct flights from three other Iraqi cities including Basra.