Poland Reinforcing Border With Belarus
On 7 July, the Polish Ministry of Defense announced the beginning of Operation “Bezpieczne Podlasie” aimed at rapidly reinforcing forces on the border with Belarus. The operation is a response to the heightened tensions in the region caused by the deployment of Russian nuclear weapons to Belarus and the reported transfer of forces associated with the Wagner Group to the country. Over 1,000 troops and 200 pieces of equipment from the 12th Mechanized Brigade and 17th Mechanized Brigade are involved in Operation Bezpieczne Podlasie [Safe Podlasie].
The tensions between Poland and Belarus began in the Fall of 2021 when a migration crisis was initiated by the government in Minsk. Thousands of people illegally crossed the state border causing chaos and immediate reaction of Polish Border Guards and military.
Even though the migration crisis has been largely suppressed by the extensive military presence and the erection of border fences and outposts, sporadic attempts to cross the border still take place. Nonetheless, the recent Wagner coup attempt in Russia sparked fears over the potential further escalation of hostilities between Poland and Belarus in the already contested region of Podlasie.
The government in Warsaw seems to be especially concerned with the reports that elements of the Wagner Group would be garrisoned in Belarus as a post-coup agreement. The presence of a large number of competent forces in a neighboring country has necessitated additional measures of security. Last week Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko claimed that neither Wagner troops nor their leader were in Belarus but today Belarusian Ministry of Defense said today that Wagner troops will train Belarusian forces.
The ability to quickly react to the dangers on the border is essential for the Polish Armed Forces. The elements of two mechanized brigades from other regions of the country managed to swiftly deploy to the border with their heavy equipment. The reinforcement is unlikely to be permanent and serves as a deterrence to potential crisis situation only.