Poland to close border with Belarus in connection with Zapad-2025 maneuvers

September 9, Pozirk. Poland will close the border with Belarus at the start of the day on September 12 in connection with the Belarusian-Russian military maneuvers Zapad-2025, Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on September 9 before a cabinet meeting.

The railway crossings will also be closed, Rzeczpospolita reported, citing national security concerns. Tusk described the exercise as aggressive, noting the synapsis focuses on the vulnerable Suwałki Gap between Lithuania and Poland. He also cited tensions between the two countries, including the recent brutal arrest of Grzegorz Gaweł, a Carmelite monk, in Lepiel, Viciebsk region.

Zapad-2025 is scheduled to take place in Belarus from September 12 to 16.

Mindaugas Mažonas, head of Lithuania’s Second Investigation Department, told LRT that the maneuvers in Belarus will involve around 8,000 troops, including 2,000 Russians. Minsk has not disclosed the number of participants.

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