Poland closed its border with Belarus overnight in response to Russian-Belarus military exercises, with the interior minister present during the closure decision.
Interior Minister Closes Border Amid Military Exercises
Polish authorities temporarily closed the Polish-Belarus border at midnight. Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration Marcin Kierwiński, along with his deputy Czesław Mroczek, was present during the decision to close the border crossings, saying it was in response to ongoing Zapad 25 military exercises from Russia and Belarus, directly targeted at Poland and the European Union.
Military Exercises and Security Concerns
The Russian-Belarusian Zapad 25 military exercises involve more than 13,000 soldiers, according to official data. Lithuanian intelligence agencies determined that approximately 30,000 military personnel are planned to participate in the exercises, which include a coordinated nuclear attack. While the full plan has not been disclosed, the exercises are set to continue until September 16th.
Priority on Polish Safety
Kierwiński emphasized that the temporary closure of the border crossings prioritized the safety of Polish citizens and assured that the decision was made with full responsibility. He noted that while the closure was not permanent, it would remain in place “until further notice” and would only be resumed once the safety of Polish citizens was guaranteed, along with no further provocations or aggressive actions.
