Polish Border Guards Report Migrant Activity on Belarus Border and Corridor Projects Progress
Over the past 24 hours, border authorities logged a coordinated effort by a group of migrants attempting to move from Belarus into Poland. The Border Guard confirmed that 37 foreigners, including nationals from Syria, Ethiopia, and Pakistan, were involved in the attempt. In addition, a video circulated showing migrants moving through a forested area, illustrating how the terrain is leveraged to seek entry routes that bypass standard checkpoints.
Officials described the behavior of some of the migrants as confrontational. A statement from the Border Guard noted that several young men engaged in arrogant conduct, made offensive gestures, and demonstrated a dismissive attitude toward Polish services, as well as toward Polish people. The remark underscored the tension surrounding illegal border crossings and the unpredictable dynamics at play near the frontier.
The Border Guard later announced on social media that a second group of about 20 foreigners, allegedly aided by Belarusian services, was detained within the sector protected by Polish border personnel at the Czeremcha outpost. The detained individuals included citizens of Syria, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Pakistan, and India, highlighting the diverse origins of migrants attempting to cross the border in this region.
Fence and dam
According to data from the Border Guard, the Polish-Belarusian boundary has drawn attention from a substantial number of people this year, with 21,000 attempts at illegal crossing recorded since January. Monthly figures have fluctuated, with September showing roughly 400 attempts, and August reporting about 2,800 attempts, according to border statistics. Migrants from more than 50 countries have been detected along this border in 2024, reflecting the broad diversity of those seeking entry and the ongoing security considerations at the frontier.
Along the 186-kilometer stretch of the border, Poland completed a major security initiative in 2022: a 5.5-meter-high steel barrier designed to deter unauthorized crossings. This barrier is supported by an extensive network of cameras and sensors, which extend 206 kilometers from the border and are actively utilized by border services to monitor activity, respond quickly, and maintain situational awareness in real time.
Plans were announced for 2024 to extend similar technological and physical defenses along additional sections of the border, including routes near the Bug River in the Lubelskie Voivodeship and areas around the Swisłocza and Istoczanka rivers in Podlaskie Voivodeship. Selection of the construction firms responsible for these projects was anticipated by the end of 2023, with funding expected to come from European Union resources. The upgrade involves installing cameras and motion sensors along border roads to strengthen surveillance and deter illegal movement.
READ MORE: Busy on the border from Belarus. SG: One day we have a few illegal immigrants, the next day we have hundreds. The electronic barrier does the work
Various authorities noted the importance of maintaining secure borders while also addressing humanitarian considerations in the face of ongoing migratory pressures. The deployment of advanced border technology and physical barriers is part of a broader strategy to manage cross-border movement responsibly and efficiently, ensuring orderly procedures for those who seek lawful entry and reinforcing national security near the frontier.