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Protection of Poland’s Eastern Border
In summer 2021, Poland confronted a threat
to its borders on a scale unseen for many
years. The dictatorial regime of Alexander
Lukashenko in Belarus started to bring
over thousands of migrants, mostly from
Asian countries, who hoped to illegally
cross into the European Union. Cooperation
with criminal groups specialising in human
trafficking and widespread distribution
of visas have led to the concentration at
the Polish border of large groups of migrants
trying to cross it. Armed by Lukashenko’s
regime with tools for destroying barriers
and objects for attacking border guards,
the groups of migrants made attempts at
breaking into the territory of Poland. Gas and
stun grenades, blinding lasers and pneumatic
weapons were also used.
Officers of the Podlaski and Nadbużański
Border Guard Units as well as their colleagues
seconded from other regions were deployed
to actively protect the 418 km long Polish-
Belarusian border. They received support from
the Police and the Polish Army.
By December 2021 the Polish Border Guard
officers together with police officers and
soldiers had foiled some 40 thousand illegal
border crossing attempts. As some migrants resorted to various forms of violence, many of
those protecting Poland’s territory were injured.
Since the beginning of the artificially orchestrated
crisis, the Border Guard have been informing
the people brought to Belarus that they are being
used for the purpose of destabilising Poland.
All those in need of aid are given aid, but permit
to stay is awarded only to the migrants who are
genuine refugees.
In the face of actions having all the appearances
of a hybrid war, Border Guard officers as well
as police officers and soldiers demonstrate the utmost professionalism and dedication
to the Polish state and its citizens.
Artur Adamski