In the summer of 2021, dozens, and later hundreds, of people started illegally crossing the Lithuanian border from Belarus every day. As a result, Lithuania reinforced its border protection, building a metal fence and a barbed-wire barrier and assigning troops to help the border guards.

Lithuania and the European Union say that this is a “hybrid attack” orchestrated by the Minsk regime, which has taken advantage of the desire of thousands of people – mainly Iraqi Kurds but also Syrians, Congolese, Afghans, and others – to reach Western Europe and have a safer and better life there.

This is the story about two people – one guarding the border, the other crossing it illegally – and the circumstances that have led to the intersection of their stories.

Produced by Sigita Vegytė.

Editors Vaida Pilibaitytė and Adomas Zubė.

English translation by Ieva Žvinakytė.

Subtitles by Adomas Zubė.

Cover photo by Domas Zenkevičius.

Presented at the EBU conference IFC AudioDocs 2022 in Cardiff, the UK

Presented at the audiofestival BANGUOJA 2022, Lithuania

Presented at the international festival Internazionale a Ferrara 2022, Italy

Featured on Radio Atlas

Best Documentary: Gold, Third Coast International Audio Festival 2022-2023, USA

Honorable mention at the Phonurgia Nova Awards 2023, France