Hundreds of migrants are moving in Belarus toward the Polish border, presumably in order to enter Poland, the country's security service spokesman Stanisław Żaryn tweeted on Monday.
Polish institutions reported that migrants tried to cross into Poland on Monday afternoon, but were stopped.
“The Polish services prevented the migrants' attempt to force their way to the Polish side south of the border crossing in Kuźnica. The situation was under control,” according to a tweet by Poland's Interior Ministry.
🔴 PILNE | Polskie służby udaremniły próbę siłowego przedarcia się na polską stronę przez migrantów na południe od przejścia granicznego w Kuźnicy. Sytuacja została opanowana. pic.twitter.com/iJNvufd524
— MSWiA (@MSWiA_GOV_PL) November 8, 2021
Poland's Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak has said that 12,000 troops are on alert and can be deployed to the border.
Earlier reports from Belarus claimed that irregular migrants left Minsk airport and were moving toward the Polish border.
“Very disturbing information from the border. A large group of migrants has gathered in Belarus, near the border with Poland,” according to Żaryn's tweet. “They have just moved towards the border of the Republic of Poland. They will try to enter Poland en masse.”
Bardzo niepokojące informacje z granicy. Na Białorusi, przy granicy z Polską, zgromadziła się duża grupa migrantów.
— Stanisław Żaryn (@StZaryn) November 8, 2021
Ruszyli właśnie w stronę granicy RP. Będą próbowali masowo wkroczyć do Polski. pic.twitter.com/AHexXfsy8a
The column of people is reportedly approaching the Kuznica-Bruzgi checkpoint in northern Poland. According to Żaryn, the migrants are led by Belarusian officers.
Almost no migrants in Minsk, at least for the time being. Today thousands (?) of them moved from Belarus’ capital to Kuznica-Bruzgi crossing to try to storm the Polish border in one large group. The storm is planned for tomorrow morning. I’m afraid it could turn really nasty pic.twitter.com/rQiu3S372F
— Tadeusz Giczan (@TadeuszGiczan) November 7, 2021
The armed convoy (reportedly, Belarus border committee) escorts migrants at Belarus-🇵🇱 border. People report more and more migrants on the streets of Minsk. They are waiting for the transport to the border. This is true state-backed smuggling, organized by Lukashenka. pic.twitter.com/0L40x3Nhtr
— Franak Viačorka (@franakviacorka) November 8, 2021
Last week, Poland's Defence Ministry reported an incident at the Belarus border, where Belarusian officers allegedly attempted to shoot at Polish troops patrolling the border. The rocket pistol did not fire, according to the report.
Another report last week by the Defence Ministry claimed that five armed Belarusians were trying to take down a fence on the Poland-Belarus border.
Lithuania, Poland and the EU have accused the Belarusian government of orchestrating migrant smuggling, sending people across its border with Lithuania, Poland, and Latvia.
Read more: Migration crisis in Baltics and Poland
Lithuania prepares to deploy troops to border
Lithuania is preparing for “possible scenarios” and is redeploying forces, the country's State Border Guard Service (VSAT) said on Monday.
VSAT chief Rustamas Liubajevas has told the parliamentary National Security Committee that between 1,000 and 5,000 migrants may be present at the Belarus-Poland border.
“They are amassing near the Bruzgi-Kuznica checkpoint, we had this information last weekend,” he said.
“We've been preparing for possible scenarios over the weekend, we'll be making decisions today, we're currently having meetings with Lithuania's general staff, we're planning to use the possibility of deploying more troops on alert. We're also coordinating with the police, the Public Security Service, redeploying our own forces,” Liubajevas said.
“We're preparing for all possible scenarios,” he added.
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