Poland announced on Tuesday that it will send soldiers to its eastern border after accusing Belarus of violating its airspace with military helicopters. Russia’s closest ally denied any such breach and accused NATO member Poland of fabricating the charge to justify increased troops.
Airspace Violation
At first, the Polish military denied any border violation, but later confirmed that two Belarusian helicopters conducting training near the border were violating Polish airspace.
The ministry confirmed that the border crossing occurred in the Białowieża region at a “very low altitude, making it difficult for radar systems to detect.”
According to the ministry’s statement, the Belarusian side had already notified Warsaw about the planned training. The ministry discussed the incident in a meeting with the National Security and Defence Affairs committee.
Poland accused Belarus of violating its airspace
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) August 2, 2023
Two Belarusian helicopters violated the airspace of Poland near Białowieża, reported the Ministry of National Defense of the republic. The helicopters crossed the border "at a very low altitude, which made it difficult for radar… pic.twitter.com/JyhgWfKZnI
Subsequently, the Polish Defence Ministry announced the deployment of “additional forces and resources, including combat helicopters.” It stated that it had alerted NATO of the border violations and that Belarus’ charge d’affaires had been called to explain the incident.
“We would like to remind you that Russia and Belarus have recently intensified hybrid activities against Poland,” read the ministry’s statement. “Due to possible further provocations, we call for responsible dissemination and commenting on information that the Russian and Belarusian regimes may use,” it added.
Residents near the eastern Polish city of Białowieża, close to the Belarus border, posted pictures of alleged border violations on social media before the defence minister published his statement.
Belarus Denies Violations
Commenting on the incident, the Belarusian Defence Ministry stated that the allegations of a “violation of the Polish border by Mi-24 and Mi-8 helicopters of the Belarusian Air Force and Air Defense Forces are far-fetched and made by the Polish military and political leadership to justify the build-up of forces and means at the Belarusian border.”
In a veiled jab at the US, the Ministry alleged that Warsaw changed its mind regarding the incident “after consulting its overseas masters.” Further, the Ministry regarded the accusation as an ‘old wives’ tale,’ noting that no boundary violations were committed by Belarusian helicopters.
🛑The Ministry of Defence of Belarus denies the crossing of the Polish border by two helicopters
— Ukraine 4 Freedom (@uawarinfo) August 1, 2023
The agency claims that Poland's accusations are "far-fetched" and needed by it for "another justification for the build-up of forces near the Belarusian border." https://t.co/Rpk0iHV4Lr
Wagner Troops in Belarus
Following a short-lived mutiny in Russia, Wagner troops relocated to Belarus. Since then, they are suspected of training Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s forces in Belarus.
During a recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Lukashenko claimed that Wagner fighters stationed there were eager to “go on a trip to Warsaw,” adding that some of the troops were motivated to advance into Poland and Ukraine.
Earlier Tuesday, Lukashenko taunted Poland over deploying Russian Wagner mercenaries near the border, saying that Warsaw should thank him for keeping them in check.
Poles “should pray that we’re holding onto (the Wagner fighters) and providing for them. Otherwise, without us, they would have seeped through and smashed up Rzeszow and Warsaw in no small way. So, they shouldn’t reproach me, they should say thank you,” asserted the Belarusian leader.