WARSAW: Poland has started moving more than 1,000 security personnel to the eastern border of the country, Polish Minister for Defence said on Saturday. Reuters reported that the development took place amid increasing concern in Poland that the presence of Wagner men in Belarus could lead to tension on its border.
The Russian President’s decision to offer men of Yevgeny Prigozhin’s Wagner group the option of relocating to Belarus has led to concerns among NATO countries that the fighters’ presence will cause instability in the region.
Poland Moves Forces to Border Amid Wagner Group Fears
“More than 1,000 troops are starting to deploy to the eastern border of the country,” Mariusz Blaszczak said. “This is a demonstration of Poland readiness to answer to attempts at destabilization close to the border of our nation.”
Earlier, Poland announced it would deploy 500 police personnel to enhance security at its border with Belarus.
Poland has seen a rise in the number of migrants making attempts to cross the Belarus border in recent days. Security Guard at border said that more than 200 people made attempts to cross unlawfully on Friday, including citizens of India, Ethiopia and Morocco.
Poland has alleged Belarus of artificially creating a refugee crisis on the border since 2021 by traveling in people from Africa and Middle East and trying to push them across the border.
A top Wagner commander was quoted as saying that fighters from the group were preparing to shift to Belarus.
