The number of illegal border crossings at Europe’s external borders in the first seven months of 2021 reached over 82 000, 59% more than the total from a year ago, according to preliminary calculations. In July, Frontex registered 17 300 illegal border crossings, 33% more than in the same month last year and slightly more than in the previous month (14 600). Migratory pressure continued to build up on the eastern frontiers of the European Union with more than 3000 illegal entries from Belarus registered at the border to Lithuania in July.