Poland's government has accused Belarus and Russia of organizing another influx of migrants into the European Union through the Polish border. According to Polish Deputy Interior Minister Maciej Wasik, this operation is orchestrated by the Russian and Belarusian secret services and is intensifying.

Tomasz Praga, the head of the Polish border guard, described the Belarusian services as a criminal group that is masterminding illegal migration and making substantial profits from it. This is not the first time such an influx has occurred.

In the summer of 2021, tens of thousands of migrants and refugees, primarily from the Middle East, attempted to cross into Poland from Belarus. Back then, the West accused Belarus and its ally Russia of conducting a hybrid attack, a non-military tactic.

Despite West's accusations, Minsk denied its involvement in orchestrating the influx. In response to the previous border crisis, Poland established a no-access zone at the border, which lasted for nine months. This zone prohibited non-residents, including migrants, aid workers, and media personnel, from entering the area.

Additionally, Poland deployed thousands of troops and police officers to reinforce border patrol, constructed a steel wall along the border, and passed a law allowing for the forced return of migrants to Belarus. Although the current situation is said to be less chaotic than two years ago, the number of attempted crossings from Belarus into Poland has been increasing.

Approximately 19,000 migrants have tried to enter Poland from Belarus so far this year, compared to 16,000 in the entirety of 2022. Last month alone, over 4,000 migrants attempted to cross the border. In response to the growing influx, the Polish border guard has called on the defense ministry to send an additional 1,000 troops to the border. The situation remains tense, with Poland accusing Belarus and Russia of using migration as a tool to destabilize the region.