Just after midnight, I received information from the Border Guard that disturbing movement had been observed on the Polish-Russian border. Individuals with flashlights. We very quickly dispatched the appropriate forces and resources there, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Tuesday.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of a Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Donald Tusk addressed the security situation along the border with Russia’s Kaliningrad Oblast.
He said that just after midnight he received information from the Border Guard that disturbing movement had been observed on the Polish-Russian border.
“Individuals with flashlights. We very quickly mobilized the appropriate forces and resources there,” he said.
He added that a provocation had been prevented, “if that was the intention, because we will not be able to confirm that fully.”
“In the Border Guard’s assessment, the situation required full mobilization and control of the situation on the ground,” he stressed.
He noted that tension and escalation on Russia’s part could continue, which is why Poland must remain mobilized at all times.
Earlier, he said that a command center for a special operation, which is being conducted in the Warmian-Masurian and Podlaskie voivodeships, had been set up at the National Police Headquarters. Special services and the Border Guard are also taking part in the center’s work.
As the prime minister explained, allied countries’ services had been warning for some time that in Poland “acts of diversion or more serious provocations may occur on the border with the Russian Federation, or acts of sabotage prepared by hostile services.”
“This information was also confirmed by warnings I received from the commander of NATO forces and U.S. armed forces in Europe, Gen. Grynkewich, during his stay in Poland,” Tusk said.
He added that the general had warned of a possible scenario of escalating events as early as this fall.
After information that incidents, including “an incursion of armed people onto the territory of the Republic of Poland,” could occur in the first half of November, a decision was made to send police forces to northeastern Poland and to reinforce the Border Guard and counterterrorism units.
The day before, National Police Commander Gen. Insp. Marek Boroń spoke about the creation of the command center on RMF FM radio. (PAP)
