Polish Prime Minister: "Wagner Mercenaries Moving Near Border... Concerns of Infiltration"

Russian Wagner Group mercenaries stationed in Belarus have moved toward the border adjacent to Poland's strategic stronghold, raising concerns that they could cross the border disguised as illegal immigrants, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki warned.

Mateusz Morawiecki, Prime Minister of Poland

On the 29th (local time), according to the British BBC and American CNN, Prime Minister Morawiecki made these remarks during a press conference held at a weapons factory in Gliwice, southern Poland.

Morawiecki first stated, "About 100 Wagner troops have moved near Hrodna (Grodno), a city in western Belarus close to the Polish and Lithuanian borders." This city is located 15 km and 30 km away from the Polish and Lithuanian borders respectively, and is also near the Suwałki Corridor, a narrow 60-mile (96 km) land route stretching between Poland and Lithuania.

The Suwałki Corridor connects the Russian Kaliningrad exclave on the Baltic Sea coast with Belarus and is the only land route linking the Baltic States with the rest of the European Union (EU) countries. If Russia were to seize control of this area, it would effectively separate the Baltic countries from NATO, making it a strategically critical stronghold. For this reason, CNN analyzed that deploying the Wagner Group near the Suwałki Corridor could signify an escalation capable of shaking NATO and EU member states. Morawiecki expressed concern, saying, "They will likely disguise themselves as Belarusian border guards to assist illegal immigrants entering Poland or attempt to infiltrate Poland pretending to be illegal immigrants," adding, "The situation is becoming more dangerous."

Morawiecki also mentioned that attempts at illegal entry by immigrants "pushed into Poland" by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko have reached about 16,000 cases this year. According to Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, there were 2,312 cases of illegal crossings from Belarus into the EU between January and June this year. Poland views these movements as part of a 'hybrid attack' aimed at fomenting instability within Poland. Hybrid attacks combine conventional warfare, irregular warfare, political warfare, and cyber warfare.

As the Wagner Group's movements become more alarming, Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia, which share borders with Belarus, are considering closing their borders in the worst-case scenario. On the 27th, Polish Interior Minister Mariusz Kami?ski, when asked by reporters about the possibility of border closures during a visit to the Belarus border area, responded, "We are consulting with Lithuania and Latvia, and if the Wagner Group carries out serious actions on NATO and EU borders, we cannot rule out measures that would mean the complete isolation of Belarus." Lithuanian Deputy Interior Minister Arnoldas Abramavi?ius also told reporters on the 28th, according to AFP, "Such considerations are real," and "There is a possibility of closing the border."

Poland and Lithuania had previously erected barriers along the Belarus border to prevent illegal entry. Poland plans to further strengthen security by deploying additional troops along its eastern border, viewing the presence of the Wagner Group as a potential threat.

Poland's and Lithuania's concerns are not unfounded. On the 23rd, President Lukashenko met with President Putin in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and said that the Wagner Group wants to advance into Poland. However, Lukashenko stated, "As previously agreed, we will keep the Wagner Group in Belarus."

The Wagner Group staged an armed rebellion against the Russian military on the 23rd of last month, advancing toward Moscow but retreated after a day due to Lukashenko's mediation and subsequently relocated their base to Belarus.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.