Polish Forces Sent To Belarusian Border Following Airspace Violation

Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak has ordered more troops and equipment to the country’s border with Belarus after Belarusian military helicopters violated Poland’s airspace.

Warsaw has confirmed that two helicopters—photos of which show to be an Mi-17 “Hip” transport helicopter and an Mi-24/25 “Hind” gunship both carrying Belarusian markings—flew into Polish airspace near Białowieża on Aug. 1.

The helicopters had been training near the border and crossed into Polish airspace “at a very low altitude, making it difficult to detect by radar systems,” according to a statement released by the Polish defense ministry. 

Earlier in the day, Polish officials suggested the helicopters only appeared to have flown in Polish airspace, because radar systems did not record a violation. But further investigations confirmed the violation had taken place. The defense ministry said it has informed NATO of the incident and that the Belarusian charge d’affaires would be summoned to explain it.

The Belarusian defense ministry called Poland’s accusations “far-fetched,” a report by the country’s Belta news agency said.

“The accusations ... were made by the Polish military-political leadership to justify the buildup of forces and means near the Belarusian border,” the agency’s report added.

Polish officials have called for “responsible dissemination and commenting” about the incident over concerns about additional provocations by the Russian and Belarusian regimes.

They note that Belarus and Russia have “recently intensified hybrid activities” against Poland.

Polish forces have been on continuous high alert since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Concerns about potential hybrid warfare arose after Belarus announced it would be hosting the Wagner mercenary group within its borders following Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin’s attempted rebellion on Moscow in June. Prior to the conflict, Warsaw accused Minsk of a coordinated attack using migrants that Belarus had sent to the border to cross into the European Union.