Poland Sends More Troops to Belarus Border After Alleged Airspace Violation

Over the course of the past month, Poland has sent hundreds of troops to positions near the Belarusian border. Warsaw says the deployments are in response to the recent arrival in Belarus of Wagner Group fighters. But Minsk and Moscow accuse Poland—a longstanding NATO member—of having ulterior motives.

A Polish soldier walks next to Leopard 2 tanks during a training at a military base and test range in Swietoszow, Poland, on Feb. 13, 2023. Michal Dyjuk/AP Photo

Poland is sending additional troops to its border with Belarus, a key Russian ally, after what it described as an airspace violation by two Belarusian military helicopters.

On Aug. 1, Poland’s defense ministry announced its decision to send “additional forces and resources, including combat helicopters,” to its eastern border.