The leaders of NATO members Poland and Lithuania issued a strong warning against potential provocations and sabotage actions from Belarus, particularly by members of Russia’s Wagner mercenary force. This warning comes in response to recent incidents where two Belarusian helicopters breached Polish airspace, causing heightened concerns in the region.
During a televised meeting with troop commanders in Bialystok, Poland’s Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak declared that the country’s response to these provocations would involve increasing the size of the Polish Army on the eastern border by redeploying troops from the west. He emphasized that soldiers, in accordance with the law, have the right to use weapons and are not defenseless.
Belarus, known for its strong alliance with Russia, shares significant borders with both Poland and Lithuania, countries that support Ukraine.
Separately, Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki revealed that there are at least 4,000 members of the Wagner mercenary group present in Belarus. He made this statement during a joint news conference with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda at Przesmyk Suwalski, a strategically important strip of land in Poland that borders both Belarus and Lithuania, as well as the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad on the Baltic Sea.
Mr. Morawiecki described the Wagner group as “extremely dangerous” and expressed concerns about their redeployment to NATO’s eastern flank, with the intention of destabilizing the region.
Recently, there were reports in local media stating that two helicopters bearing Belarusian flags were spotted in the Bialowieza area, just across the border from Belarus. Initially, the Polish government denied any intrusion; however, the Defense Ministry later confirmed that two Belarusian helicopters indeed violated Polish airspace while conducting training exercises near the border. Belarus had informed Poland about these exercises.
Following this incident, Polish authorities alerted NATO and announced the deployment of additional troops and helicopters to the border.
During the joint news conference, Lithuanian President Nauseda emphasized that the presence of Wagner mercenaries in Belarus posed an additional security risk to Lithuania, Poland, and NATO allies. He assured that they remain vigilant and prepared for any possible scenario.
In response to accusations of luring migrants from the Middle East and Africa and pushing them into Poland to destabilize the country and gain diplomatic leverage, Poland and Lithuania fortified their borders with Belarus starting in late 2021. Polish authorities have even constructed an 18-foot razor-wire-topped wall along 115 miles of the border.
Overall, the leaders of Poland and Lithuania are taking proactive measures to address the potential threats emanating from Belarus, particularly from the Wagner mercenary group. They emphasize the need for increased military presence and cooperation with NATO allies to ensure regional security.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
