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Political Crisis initiated by the regime of Alexander Lukashenka. Polish-Belarusian border - update by 10 January 2022

10.01.2022

Situation at the Poland-Belarus border_baner

The situation along the Polish-Belarusian border remains tense. The first days of the new year have shown that the Lukashenko regime continues its aggressive hybrid operation against Poland and the EU. Further attempts to cross the border illegally are reported every day. During these attempts Polish officers and soldiers are attacked by aggressive groups of migrants, supported by the Belarusian services.

A decrease in the number of illegal attempts to cross the Polish-Belarusian border - compared to the second half of 2021 - does not, in spite of appearances, mean a calming of the situation. The migrant groups trying to force the border are now less numerous but even more aggressive. Foreigners are still brought by the Belarusian side to the border, where, with the support of the Belarusian services, they attack Polish officers and soldiers and destroy border security. Tree branches, stones, bricks, sharp light and laser beams are directed at Polish patrols. In addition, the Belarusian services - as before - are carrying out other numerous activities aimed at provoking the Polish border defenders or weakening morale among them.

Migrants are provided with instructions on where and how to enter the territory of the Republic of Poland. The Belarusian officers are constantly monitoring the situation on the Polish side, searching for new ways to cross the border illegally which they want to use to push foreigners to Poland.

The border events are accompanied by aggressive information activities aimed at proving that Poland is responsible for creating the migration crisis, and that Polish border defenders pose a threat to the security of the entire region.

The use of migrants as weapons by the regime of A. Lukashenko is only an element of a wider plan. The aim is to create divisions among NATO and EU states and societies and deepen them later on.

The latest figures presented by the Polish Border Guard show clearly that the migration route from Belarus to Poland is artificial. In 2021, there were 39.670 attempts to illegally cross the Polish border from Belarus, more than 300 times up from 139 attempts a year earlier:

  • 2021 – 39.670 attempts to illegally cross the BY-PL border;
  • 2020 – 129 attempts;
  • 2019 – 20 attempts;
  • 2018 -  4 attempts

In 2021, Poland became the target of a hybrid warfare operation that relied on an artificial and orchestrated illegal migration scheme for political purpose.

There is no indication that the situation on Poland's eastern border will calm down in the near future. The actions of the Belarusian regime make it impossible to lose vigilance even for a moment. The fact that the border remains tight and secure is due to the determination and hard work of the Border Guard, the Police and the soldiers of the Polish Army.

 

RECENT BORDER INCIDENTS

  • From the beginning of January to January 10, there were 239 attempts to cross the border recorded by the Polish Border Guard.
  • 05.01.2022 – 30 foreigners attempted to cross the Belarusian-Polish border in the vicinity of Dubicze Cerkiewne, Mielnik and Nowy Dwór. Assisted by Belarusian services they were trying to damage the border protection fence. Stones and bricks were thrown at Polish patrols.
  • 05.01.2022 – After crossing the border, 30-year-old illegal Egyptian immigrant stuck in the Narew river backwaters.
  • 06.01.2022 – 18 foreigners attempted to cross the border illegally. In the vicinity of Janów Podlaski, a Kyrgyzstan citizen attempted to cross the border river Bug.
  • 06.01.2022 – A group of 80 Belarusian oppositionists entered Poland. They will receive help and assistance.
  • 07.01.2022 – A group of 36 foreigners attempted to forcibly push the border line in the vicinity of Czeremcha. Wooden branches and stones were thrown at Polish patrols.
  • 08.01.2022 – 10 foreigners attempted enter the Polish territory, including 2 citizens of India, trying to cross the Świsłocz river in the vicinity of Bobrowniki.
  • 08/09.01.2022 – In the vicinity of Czeremcha, a group of 11 foreigners (Lebanese and Syrian citizens) attempted to enter Poland illegally.
  • 09.01.2022 – During attempts to cross the border forcibly in the vicinity of Czeremcha and Studziałów by groups of foreigners (49 all together) – including a group of Lebanese and Syrian citizens (11 people), and a group of 16 citizens of India and Iraq -  stones and roaring firecrackers were thrown at Polish patrols, also by Belarusian services. One of the Polish Guard officers suffered from a head injury and was taken to hospital.
  • 10.01.2022 – In the vicinity of Mielnik, an aggressive group of foreigners attempted to cross the Belarusian-Polish border forcibly.

To follow up-to-date information on the situation on the Polish-Belarussian border, we encourage you to visit:

 

DIPLOMATIC ACTIONS UNDERTAKEN BY POLAND’s OFFICIALS

The situation on the Polish-Belarussian border and the hybrid action against Poland has been the subject of the following actions:

  • 7 January – Polish FM Zbigniew Rau took part in a video conference of NATO foreign ministers, which focused on the security situation in Ukraine caused by Russia’s actions.
  • 5 January - Polish MoD informed that Polish soldiers on the Polish - Belarus border supported Polish Border guards  and Polish police.  They take care of the security of the state border, which is at the same time the border of the EU and the eastern flank of NATO. Every day they prove that they are trained to act in all conditions.
  • 5 January - Polish FM Zbigniew Rau said in an article for “Rzeczpospolita”: Poland was and always will be an advocate of dialogue. We support every existing format for dialogue with Russia, including US-Russia bilateral talks on strategic arms control, the NATO – Russia Council forum on improving European security, and, last but not least, trust-building talks within the OSCE itself. These conversations, however, must complement each other and share the same goal to enhance cooperation and security in Europe in compliance with international law.
  • 5 January – Polish Chairmanship of the OSCE, French presidency of the EU Council and current international situation were the topics of a phone call between Polish FM Zbigniew Rau and French FM Jean-Yves Le Drian.
  • 4 January - US F-16 aircraft landed in Łask, USA to work with the Polish Baltic Air Policing F-16s in Siauliai, Lithuania and enhanced Air Policing Belgian F-16s in Amari, Estonia. The Belgian, Polish and US fighters will practice advanced airborne manoeuvres and work closely with Combined Air Operations Centre Uedem (CAOCUE) to enhance Command and Control procedures. This detachment in Eastern Europe is designed to improve interoperability among the Allies and rehearse the rapid deployment of aircraft to alternate bases.
  • 4 January - Presidential Ministers Paweł Soloch and Jakub Kumoch participated in consultations with security advisers from the USA, Great Britain, France, Germany and Poland ahead of the upcoming US-Russia (10/01), NATO-Russia (12/01), OSCE (13/01) talks.

The diplomatic actions taken by Poland have been successful – at present, much fewer migrants are arriving in Belarus comparing to the previous period, although the situation at the Polish-Belarusian border remains difficult and tense.

 

10 January 2022

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