Within just 3 days, officers of the Podlaskie Border defender Branch reported nearly 280 attempts to illegally cross the border with Belarus. The situation is becoming increasingly tense — migrants not only push the border, but besides attack Polish services, throwing stones and metallic screws towards them.
The most trials took place on Friday, March 21 — over 120. More than 80 and 70 cases were reported on Saturday and Sunday respectively. The events occurred on border sections protected by SG facilities in Bobrowniki, Michałów, Płaska, Czeremsze, Leipzig, Krynkach, Bialowieża, Dubiche Cerkiowne and Narewce.
Foreigners tried to cross both land and border rivers to Poland, including Istochanka, Świsłocz and Wołkushanka. They are increasingly violent. Migrant groups on the Belarusian side threw patrols with stones and screws, thus trying to distract officers and let others to cross the border illegally. Although no 1 was injured in the attacks, the scale of aggression is worrying.
On the same day, on 21 March, SG officers from Michałów detained 2 alleged couriers. The first one, a citizen of Belarus, drove a BMW on Polish registration numbers for the reception of illegal migrants. He was obliged to return to the country. The second detainee was a Georgian citizen, leading Toyota besides on Polish plates. By decision of the court, he was imprisoned at the Guarded Center for Foreigners for 3 months.
Last weekend, 9 foreigners who requested it were given medical assistance. Since the beginning of the year, officers of the Podlaskie SG Branch have thwarted over 2,300 attempts to illegally cross the border.
Since 2021 Poland has faced the ongoing migration crisis on the border with Belarus. The Polish government and border services have repeatedly reported on the deliberate usage of migrants by the Belarusian services as tools of political pressure. The scale and organisation of the current trials indicate that the crisis has not only not been over, but is escalating, changing its character from casual attempts to exceed into actions of an organized, frequently aggressive nature.
