Tusk Says Poland Averted Possible Provocation at Border with Russia's Kaliningrad Region

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on 3 November, before a cabinet meeting, that authorities had prevented a possible provocation at Poland's border with Russia's Kaliningrad region, according to the Polish outlet RMF 24. The incident matters because Poland, a NATO member, has been warning for months about threats from Russia and has stepped up security along its border.

What the Border Guard reported

Tusk said he received a report from the Border Guard shortly after midnight about "concerning activity" along the Russian border, where people with flashlights had been spotted. According to the prime minister, the necessary personnel and resources were mobilized very quickly, and an attempted provocation was stopped.

RMF 24 reported that the people with flashlights were seen near the town of Sępopol in the Warmian-Masurian province in northeastern Poland. No one crossed the Polish border.

Earlier warnings

Tusk said Polish authorities had earlier received a warning from intelligence services and NATO allies that an act of sabotage or a provocation could take place at the Russian border in early November. In response, Poland reinforced border security.

In recent months, Polish officials have increasingly spoken about the threat from Russia. Tusk said in September that, according to intelligence services, Russia was planning "hybrid" attacks using missiles and drones against countries that support Ukraine. Newsweek reported that U.S. authorities had also warned Poland about possible Russian provocations involving the banking system.

The source does not say who the people with flashlights were or give details of the measures taken.