Poland to send 500 counter-terror police to border with Belarus

Poland is to send 500 counter terrorism police officers to strengthen security efforts on its border with Belarus.

The failed revolt in Russia led by Wagner PMC, and the subsequent relocation of some of its mercenaries to Belarus, has led to worries of greater instability in Eastern Europe.

Police from riot patrol and counterterrorism units will be deployed to help police the border, Polish Interior Minister Mariusz Kamiński tweeted on Sunday:

"Due to the tense situation on the border with Belarus I have decided to bolster our forces with 500 Polish police officers from preventive and counter-terrorism units"

They will join 5,000 security guards and 2,000 soldiers already stationed there.

According to the Polish Border Guard, 187 people tried to cross into Poland from Belarus illegally on Saturday July 1st.

Numbers have been growing steadily in recent months, although well below levels seen in 2021 when it was alleged by Poland that Belarus flew in people from the Middle East and Africa and attempted to push them across the border in an attempt to create a migrant crisis.