Poland reinforces Russian border amid warnings of possible armed incursions
Poland has deployed additional police and counterterrorism units to its border with Russia following intelligence warnings of possible sabotage and incursions by armed individuals in early November, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Tuesday.
Speaking at a Cabinet meeting on November 3, Tusk said Polish and allied intelligence services had warned of potential provocations along the border with Russia's Kaliningrad exclave. He said NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, had also warned of such a scenario.
"After receiving more precise information that incidents, including incursions into Polish territory by armed individuals, could occur in the first half of November, we decided to deploy substantial police and counterterrorism forces to the border and reinforce the Border Guard," Tusk said, according to Polish broadcaster RMF24.
The heightened security measures followed suspicious activity detected shortly after midnight near Sępopol, in northeastern Poland.
Tusk said border guards had spotted individuals carrying flashlights on the Russian side of the border. Polish authorities mobilized additional personnel in response.
According to RMF24, the individuals withdrew deeper into Kaliningrad, and no border crossing occurred.
Tusk said the overnight incident did not mean Poland had narrowly avoided a tragedy, but warned that tensions and potential provocations from Russia could continue.
Polish authorities have established a special operations headquarters within the National Police Headquarters. The operation covers the Warmian-Masurian and Podlaskie regions, with the Border Guard also participating.
The identities and intentions of the individuals spotted near the border have not been established.