Poland sent military equipment to the border with Belarus on Wednesday morning, the Russian news agency Interfax reported. However, Polish outlets are contending the news is false and amounts to a propaganda effort.
“Morning recordings show active movement of Polish troops, including columns heading towards the border with Belarus,” the news website reads.
Belarusian television also broadcast a video allegedly showing Polish Army equipment moving on public roads.
Polish news outlet Do Rzeczy labeled the reports “false information” and noted the news item is one of the most popular news stories on the Interfax website.
Drones shot down over Poland
The Russian reports on Polish troops movements come after the Polish Armed Forces Operational Command announced Wednesday morning that Polish airspace had been repeatedly violated by drones during the massive Russian attack on Ukraine.
The Polish military statement describes it an “unprecedented violation of Polish airspace by drone-type objects.”
“This is an act of aggression that has created a real threat to the security of our citizens,” Poland’s armed forces stated.
Belarus: Poland has been informed
Belarusian Chief of Staff Pavel Murawiejko stated that Poland and Lithuania had been informed of the incoming drones. He did not specify which country they originated from.
Muraveyko said that Belarusian air defense shot down some of the drones that were thrown off course due to electronic interference during the exchange of strikes between Russia and Ukraine.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys told Reuters there was no confirmation that Russian drones had deliberately entered Polish territory.
Tusk: 19 airspace violations
Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced in the Sejm that 19 violations of Polish airspace occurred last night, and that a large portion of the drones originated from Belarus. He added that Poland will request the initiation of NATO’s Article 4.
It states that “the parties will consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security of either party is threatened.”
Earlier, President Karol Nawrocki announced the possibility of invoking Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty after a meeting at the National Security Bureau (BBN). According to Tusk, he and the president are determined to act “as one” on this matter.
According to the latest data from the Ministry of Interior and Administration, seven drones and one missile have been found on Polish territory so far.
Zapad maneuvers start on Friday
The so-called active phase of the Russian-Belarusian Zapad 2025 exercises will take place from Sept. 12 to Sept. 16. According to Lithuanian intelligence, 30,000 soldiers from both countries will participate.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on Tuesday that due to military exercises between Belarus and Russia, Poland will close its border with Belarus on Thursday at midnight.
The head of government stated that the target of Belarusian-Russian operations is, among other things, the Suwałki Gap.
“This has various consequences, including maneuvers by our side, the Polish military, and allied forces,” the prime minister pointed out.
