愛污传媒

Skip to main content

What's happening at the Poland-Belarus border? A quick rundown

Share
TORONTO -

A crisis at the Poland-Belarus border has seen tensions ramp up over the past week, with thousands of migrants stranded and facing increasingly militant behaviour from Polish security forces attempting to prevent them from entering the country.

The European Union has accused Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko of using the migrants and refugees as retaliation for sanctions slapped down after the August 2020 election that awarded him an unprecedented sixth term.

The results of the election have been disputed by the opposition and many Western nations, leading to months of massive protests across Belarus and the flight of opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya into exile after a brutal crackdown by police.

More than 35,000 people were arrested and thousands were beaten, according to The Associated Press.

In June, sanctions were laid against Lukashenko by the U.S., the U.K., Canada and the EU after a May incident that saw a passenger jet diverted from Belarus to Minsk so Belarussian authorities could arrest journalist Raman Pratasevich.

Asset freezes and travel bans were imposed on 78 officials and eight 鈥渆ntities鈥 linked to the security crackdown and the diversion of the Ryanair plane.

In response, Lukashenko announced that he would no longer abide by an agreement to stem illegal migration, saying the sanctions deprived his government of resources needed to contain migrants flowing across Europe on their way west.

Migrants and refugees have been arriving in Belarus and heading to the border with Poland, Lithuania and Latvia.

In response, Polish security forces have stepped up their presence at the razor-wire fence separating the countries, deploying 15,000 soldiers, border guards and riot police and using chemical spray to deter the crowd of estimated 3,000 to 4,000 migrants who have set up makeshift camps.

Lithuania declared a state of emergency to deal with the influx of migrants and to strengthen their presence at the border, setting up tent camps to assist with the overflow.

More than eight deaths have been confirmed at the Belarus-Poland border, with Polish police announcing Saturday they had found the body of a young Syrian man in the woods near the Belarus border. With the onset of winter, with temperatures in the makeshift camps are falling below freezing at night.

The situation shows no signs of ending or de-escalating any time soon.

Belarusian state news agency Belta reported that Lukashenko on Saturday ordered the military to set up tents at the border where food and other humanitarian aid can be gathered and distributed to the migrants.

Russia, Belarus鈥 ally, has been instrumental in propping up Lukashenko and his government with political support and loans. Russian military forces have been patrolling the skies over Belarus and taking part in war games in Belarus as a show of support.

As a result of the increased tensions, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Maraweicki said Sunday that Poland, Lithuania and Latvia are considering asking NATO to hold emergency talks under Article 4 of the NATO treaty which allows any ally to request consultations if it feels its territorial integrity, political independence or security is threatened.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

BREAKING

BREAKING

A search has started at Prairie Green Landfill for the remains of two victims of a serial killer.

The president and CEO of New Brunswick-based Covered Bridge Potato Chips is taking an 'extended leave of absence' after being charged with domestic violence this past weekend.

Local Spotlight

A meteor lit up our region's sky last night 鈥 with a large fireball shooting across the horizon over Lake Erie at around 7:00 p.m.

Residents of Ottawa's Rideauview neighbourhood say an aggressive wild turkey has become a problem.

A man who lost his life while trying to rescue people from floodwaters, and a 13-year-old boy who saved his family from a dog attack, are among the Nova Scotians who received a medal for bravery Tuesday.

A newly minted Winnipegger is hoping a world record attempt will help bring awareness for the need for more pump track facilities in the city.

A Springfield, Ont. man is being hailed a 'hero' after running into his burning home to save his two infant children.

Hortense Anglin was the oldest graduate to make her way across the platform at York University's Fall Convocation ceremony this week. At the age of 87, she graduated with an Honours degree in Religious Studies.

Looking for a scare with good intentions this Halloween season? The ghosts and ghouls of Eganville, Ont. invite families to tour the Haunted Walk at Lekbor Manor.

The image of a sleepy Saskatchewan small town with 'not a lot going on' is a well-known anecdote. However, one Saskatchewan company is hoping to change that 鈥 and allow communities both on and off the beaten path to share their stories and advertise what they have to offer.

A Moncton, N.B., home has been donated to the Friends of The Moncton Hospital Foundation and will be transformed into a resource hub for people living with cancer.