New evidence from migrants highlights a state-backed operation in the Belarus border crisis
New testimonies from migrants who attempted to reach Poland via the Belarusian route reveal a coordinated effort orchestrated by the Belarusian authorities. They describe a system designed to profit from human desperation, with powerful insiders at the helm and a pattern of criminal activity that feeds on attempts to destabilize Eastern Europe. The accounts also underscore a persistent risk that migratory pressure on the Polish border could surge again at any moment.
Earlier narratives, corroborated by one migrant who handed his report to Polish authorities, show a structured operation conducted by Minsk. The migration path is described as systematic and controlled at every step—from the moment a foreign traveler arrives in Belarus to the point of leaving the country for the border with Poland.
One migrant, a citizen of a Middle Eastern country, provided a detailed account of the journey after presenting his findings to Polish security services. He arrived in Belarus via a local tourist office, traveling by air through Dubai to Minsk. While in Belarus, he repeatedly attempted unlawful crossings into Poland in different border sectors, including Brest and Grodno regions. He was aided by paid Belarusian officials and, on multiple occasions, by smugglers from the region. He typically joined groups of several migrants, and locals in Belarus supplied funds for road transport from Belarusian cities to frontier zones with Poland.
Transportation to the frontier was described as taking place in a military vehicle. A Belarusian wearing a uniform drove the migrants, while others in balaclavas—likely Belarusian soldiers or officers—guided the march toward Poland. In one instance, the migrants were equipped with a ladder intended to facilitate a border crossing.
The migrant’s report also notes ongoing extortion by Belarusian soldiers and officials. Initial bribes upon arrival in Minsk, paid to confirm an entry visa and health coverage, reportedly reached around USD 500. After that, the individual faced repeated demands for bribes to move toward the border and to exit the zone, with sums ranging from USD 50 to USD 150 per person per entry or exit attempt.
During his stay, the migrant remained under constant supervision by local military personnel. After several unsuccessful crossing attempts, he was detained for up to three days in the border area. Belarusian guards offered basic food at markedly inflated prices, illustrating the exploitation embedded in the routine. A loaf of bread could be priced at around USD 50 in those circumstances.
Eventually, the migrant decided to return to his home country after a series of failed attempts to reach Poland, yet he remains determined to try again in the future. He even spoke of plans to obtain a false passport and described a broader network of thousands of people who share the same aspiration for a better life in Europe. The overarching message is clear: the Minsk route has become a money-making scheme, using illegal migration to enrich a select circle and pressure destination countries on Europe’s eastern flank.
The migrant’s account aligns with previously reported assessments of Minsk’s hybrid activity targeting Poland. It also signals a troubling trend: Lukashenka has transformed the illegal migration route into a revenue stream with little sign of closure. The testimony points to a broader pool of individuals worldwide who may be enticed by a dangerous, unfair “offer” from the Belarusian regime. Given the perception that Lukashenka coordinates this hybrid operation with Russia against NATO’s eastern edge, there is an expectation of continued friction along the Polish-Belarusian border. Poland, for its part, asserts readiness to confront these pressures.