The Border of Poland from Belarus is Being Attacked by Armed Groups of People Disguised as Illegal Immigrants
The situation at the Polish-Belarusian border has recently worsened significantly due to attacks by groups of illegal migrants from Belarus. Polish border guards are now frequently forced to fire warning shots as specialized armed groups assault the border, according to Poland's Ministry of Defence.
"The situation at the border is complex. On the other side, there are specialized groups attacking the Polish border instead of seeking asylum in the Republic. The situation has changed drastically and radically. Armed groups, prepared and, in my opinion, sometimes very well-trained, are attacking the Polish border today. This is a completely different scenario compared to a year or two ago," said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Poland, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.
According to the head of Poland's Ministry of Defence, in May 2024 alone, border guards fired 770 warning shots during attempts by groups of illegal migrants to breach the border. Throughout the entire year of 2023, only about 300 such shots were fired.
On 28 May 2024, illegal migrants attacked three Polish border guards at the Belarusian border, resulting in one guard being stabbed. On 6 June, it was reported that this border guard had died.
Additionally, on 31 May, the Polish Border Guard reported a new attack by illegal migrants from Belarus, resulting in two Polish soldiers being injured and hospitalized after being beaten. According to The Gaze, at that time, 310 illegal migrants from Africa, Syria, and Iran attempted to breach the border.
The Gaze also reported that Poland has reinstated a buffer zone at the border with Belarus due to the influx of illegal migrants.