The defense ministry in Belarus has denied the claims made by Poland that two Belarusian helicopters crossed into Polish airspace. In a statement, the defense ministry stated that no violation of Polish airspace occurred and referred to Poland’s claim as equivalent to a grandmother’s tale without objective confirmation.
Earlier in the day, the government in Warsaw summoned the charge d’affaires of Belarus to express a strong protest and demand an immediate and detailed explanation of the incident. Polish authorities claimed that two helicopters had strayed into its airspace, and Poland expects Belarus to refrain from such actions, considering them as another element in the escalation of tension on the Polish-Belarusian border, according to the Polish Foreign Ministry.
However, the Polish military later changed its narrative, indicating that its radar systems did not record any violations of the country’s airspace. The military claimed that the helicopters allegedly flew at a very low altitude, which prevented detection by radar systems.
The government in Warsaw has been increasingly concerned about the reported presence of Russian fighters from the Wagner Group in Belarus. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki claimed that “more than a hundred” Wagner fighters had arrived in the border town of Grodno, describing it as a step towards an upcoming hybrid attack on Polish territory. In response, Poland announced the deployment of 1,000 additional soldiers to the border and almost doubling its military strength from 172,000 to 300,000.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko criticized Poland, stating that Poland had gone mad over rumors about Wagner and denying the deployment of exiled military contractors on the border. Lukashenko clarified his previous tongue-in-cheek remark made in Russia, stating that restless Wagner members wanted to “go on tour” of NATO facilities in Poland supporting Ukraine’s war effort.
The United States also expressed a different view from Poland’s assessment of the situation. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby stated that the US was not aware of any specific threat from Wagner against Poland or any other NATO allies but was closely monitoring the situation.
In conclusion, Poland’s claims of Belarusian helicopters crossing into its airspace have been contradicted by the defense ministry in Belarus, which denies any violation occurred. The situation has led to growing tension on the Polish-Belarusian border, with Poland expressing concern about the reported presence of Russian fighters from the Wagner Group. The United States has stated that it is closely monitoring the situation but is not aware of any specific threat to Poland or other NATO allies.
Source link
