Tusk: Suspicious Activity Detected on Poland's Border with Kaliningrad
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said people with flashlights were spotted overnight into 3 November on the northern border with Russia's Kaliningrad region. Additional police and counter-terrorism units have been sent to the area.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Tuesday, 3 November, before a cabinet meeting that suspicious activity had been observed overnight on Poland's northern border with Kaliningrad, Russia's exclave region. Warsaw is treating such incidents with particular caution, as NATO countries have already received warnings about possible Russian provocations.
According to Tusk, shortly after midnight he received information from the border guard about suspicious movement near the frontier: people walking along the border with flashlights. The prime minister claimed they were moving from the Kaliningrad side.
Polish authorities quickly sent extra forces to the region. Police and counter-terrorism units have been tasked with assisting local border guards, and border protection has been reinforced. Officials regard the incident as a possible provocation, and security forces continue to operate in the border area.
Warnings of continued tension
Tusk thanked people who have prepared for such scenarios in recent days. He warned that tension and the threat of escalation may persist, so the country must remain vigilant. The prime minister voiced concern about possible Russian activity not only in the border area but also inside Poland.
He noted that concerns did not arise only from last night's incident. Polish and allied services have repeatedly warned of possible Russian sabotage or more serious provocations in NATO countries during the first half of November.
Earlier incidents
In late September, a Russian Mi-8 helicopter flew from the Kaliningrad region roughly 1,000 feet into NATO airspace; Polish residents received a warning about it. Last week, Polish fighter jets were scrambled four times in connection with Russian drone and missile activity.
In November, Poland is due to host the international military exercise "Koalicja", led by the United Kingdom and France. From 9 to 22 November, representatives of 11 countries will take part. Britain plans to send 300 troops, Typhoon fighter jets and a Voyager refuelling aircraft. The exercise is intended to test allied readiness to support Ukraine after the war ends.
