politics
Poland bolsters Belarus border defenses after migrant crossings
Polish military forces patrol the 521-kilometer border with Belarus using layered security measures. Officials describe the crossings as part of a Belarusian operation that began in 2021.
May 17, 9:10 AM·1m read1 source
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Polish troops from the 18th "Iron Division" patrol the 521-kilometer border with Belarus in armored convoys. The military presence supplements the Border Guard and police after officials determined the scale of crossings required armed forces. A temporary barrier erected in 2021 has been upgraded to an electronic fence with surveillance systems.
Soldiers report that migrants have arrived from Syria, Somalia, Afghanistan, and India.
Polish military officials recorded 39,697 crossing attempts in 2021. The number fell to 29,869 in 2025 and has declined further in 2026. Officials said migrants have thrown Molotov cocktails in at least two incidents and that one Polish serviceman died after being stabbed. Capt. Angelika Korkosz described 12-hour shifts in minus-20-degree weather and long separations from families.
Officials Describe Regional Security Context Ambassador Krzysztof
Olendzki stated that Belarusian authorities transport migrants toward the border as part of an effort to pressure NATO countries. He described the situation as a form of asymmetric pressure rather than spontaneous migration. Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said Poland has faced cyberattacks on energy infrastructure and drone incidents near airports.
He noted that Poland now spends nearly 5 percent of GDP on defense, the highest rate among NATO members. Olendzki added that Poland's border security also protects other NATO members including the United States.
