WARSAW – As fears of illegal migration grow, the Polish government stated Wednesday that it plans to deploy an additional 2,000 troops to its border with Belarus, more than double the amount requested by the Border Guard agency.
Maciej Wasik, a deputy interior minister, announced the decision in an interview with state news agency PAP, accusing Belarusian authorities of facilitating illegal migration.
According to him, migration pressure on the Polish-Belarusian border is increasing, though it is not comparable to the situation two years ago.
Across the time, considerable numbers of migrants from the Middle East and Africa arrived across the border, aided by flights and visas supplied by the Minsk government — which Warsaw saw as “hybrid warfare.”
“These crossings would not exist at all if we had real border guards on the other side rather than a smuggling service,” Wasik remarked.
Poles replied by erecting a tall steel wall, which reduced the number of migrants and refugees crossing the border but did not completely stop them.
Other worries have arisen as a result of Russia’s conflict against Ukraine, notably the deployment of Russia-linked Wagner group mercenaries in Belarus last summer following their brief mutiny in Russia.
Belarus also conducted military drills along its borders with Poland and Lithuania earlier this week. Last week, two Belarusian helicopters flew briefly into Polish airspace, which Warsaw interpreted as a planned provocation.
The extra troops will be added to the 2,000 already stationed at the border. According to PAP, they assist hundreds of police and Border Guard officers.
Wasik stated that the fresh troops would arrive in the next two weeks.
Poland’s President, Andrzej Duda, said Tuesday that the country’s parliamentary elections will be held on October 15.
As he seeks a third term, the ruling authorities with which he is linked have been attempting to demonstrate to voters that they are serious about security and defense.
Source: AP