Russia criticized Poland’s decision to shut all border crossings with Belarus starting Sept. 12, arguing the move will heighten tensions, disrupt trade, and harm residents in border areas.
Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, said in a statement that the move, which Warsaw argued was necessary because of the Russia-Belarus “West-2025” drills, was politically driven.
She added that the exercises are undertaken frequently and openly, and she also said that the organizers moved the activities farther away from the border and cut the number of troops who were taking part.
Zakharova urged Poland to think about it again, saying that the limits would “undermine basic humanitarian principles” by breaking up families and communities.
The Armed Forces’ Operational Command says that Poland has limited air travel along its eastern border with Belarus and Ukraine since Russian drones flew into Polish airspace. The limitations will be in effect until December 9. They came after Polish forces, with the help of NATO planes, shot down suspected Russian drones.
Polish officials said this was the first time a NATO member had done something like this during Russia’s war in Ukraine. Warsaw is working more closely with its allies. Moscow has maintained that the drones were aimed at military sites in western Ukraine and not toward Polish territory.
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