By Smartencyclopedia *

Polish media outlets have reported the presence of helicopters flying over the Białowieża forest area near the Polish-Belarusian border. Initially, the military denied any border crossings, but they later confirmed that at least two Belarusian helicopters had entered Polish airspace.

In response to this violation on August 1, 2023, Poland’s Foreign Ministry urgently summoned the chargé d’affaires of the Belarusian Embassy. This incident has added to the mounting tension over the presence of the Wagner Group in Belarus.

To address the security concern, Poland’s defense minister, Mariusz Błaszczak, has ordered an increase in military presence at the border, with helicopters patrolling the area. NATO has also been informed of the situation.

The Polish government views this airspace violation as an escalation of tension on the Polish-Belarusian border, and they expect Belarus to refrain from such activities.

Tensions between the two countries have been escalating due to Poland’s support for the Belarusian opposition to President Alexander Lukashenko. In response, Lukashenko facilitated illegal migrant crossings into Poland, leading to the installation of border fortifications.

Relations further deteriorated over the conflict in Ukraine, with Lukashenko backing Putin, while Poland has become a hub for military and humanitarian support to Ukraine. The arrival of Wagner group mercenaries in Belarus has added to the instability.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki warned that some Wagner Group mercenaries had moved towards the Suwałki gap, a sensitive area separating Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave from Belarus. Poland fears they may be used to attack this region in Poland and Lithuania.

Morawiecki also expressed concern that the Wagner mercenaries in Belarus could be involved in hybrid attacks, including facilitating illegal migrant crossings or attempting to infiltrate Poland and the EU, disguised as illegal migrants.

Belarusian President Lukashenko previously assured that the Wagner Group would remain in central Belarus, but the movement of some mercenaries towards the border contradicts these assurances. In response, Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia have stated their readiness to shut their borders if there are incidents involving the Wagner Group.

Source: With Agencies