Poland Reinstates Buffer Zone on Belarus Border Amid Influx of Illegal Migrants
The Polish government has reinstated a buffer zone along its border with Belarus following a recent attack by illegal migrants, during which a Polish border guard was stabbed. Prime Minister Donald Tusk made this announcement at a press conference in the village of Dubicze Cerkiewne near the Polish-Belarusian border, as reported by Onet.
According to Donald Tusk, the buffer zone will be 200 metres wide and will run along the entire border. The Prime Minister also announced the mobilization of "all available resources" to protect the border.
"I want to make this clear to everyone. There is no room for any negotiations. You can use any available methods; the Polish border must be protected," stated Donald Tusk.
Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz supported this measure, stating that the Polish government has all the necessary means at its disposal. Kosiniak-Kamysz also described the attack on the Polish soldier as "criminal."
Deputy Defence Minister Cezary Tomczyk reported that the wounded border guard is in serious condition. "This is a situation that is becoming more complicated by the day; it is an organized action by Belarusian services," said Tomczyk.
The Gaze reported yesterday that a Polish border guard was stabbed by one of 50 illegal migrants trying to cross into Poland from Belarus. This incident occurred near the border post in the village of Dubicze Cerkiewne.
"While performing his duty of patrolling the border, the soldier was stabbed by an illegal migrant on the Belarusian side," reported Major Magdalena Kościńska, spokesperson for the 16th Pomeranian Mechanized Division. She stated that the attacker reached through gaps in the steel fence and struck the guard in the rib area.
First aid was administered to the injured soldier. During this time, the illegal migrants continued to act aggressively, attacking the wounded guard and the officer providing assistance. The soldier was then taken to the hospital.
In total, a group of approximately 50 illegal migrants from Belarus threw branches and stones at Polish patrols. Shortly before this incident, a border guard in Białowieża was injured by a broken bottle in an attack by illegal migrants. The injured guard was also hospitalized. Additionally, in Dubicze Cerkiewne, a border guard was hospitalized after being wounded in the hand with a stick attached to a knife during an attempted illegal border crossing by a group of nine foreigners.