Polish Border Guard gears up for “dark” events at Belarus border

July 23, BPN. The Polish Border Guard prepares for “dark scenarios” at the border with Belarus, where a Russian-backed mercenary group may set up a base, spokeswoman Anna Michalska has said.

Deputy Prime Minister Jarosław Kaczyński, leader of the ruling Law and Justice party, announced plans to reinforce the eastern frontier last week in response to the expected deployment to Belarus of Wagner Group, the Kremlin-linked private military contractor.

The Polish interior minister then ordered an increase in border security, citing a “tense situation.” Mariusz Kamiński said a force of 500 police officers will be deployed to join the 5,000 border guards and 2,000 military personnel already protecting it.

Michalska said special vehicles have been deployed along with police. “These are Tajfun-type vehicles equipped with water cannons, as well as Tur-type vehicles resistant to explosions and shelling,” she said.

She also pointed out a surge in illegal border crossings by migrants from Belarus. “We expect more and more of them,” she told Polskie Radio in an interview.