Poland Sees Surge in Migrant Attempts at Belarus Border

The border between Poland and Belarus, one of the most heavily fortified EU external frontiers, has witnessed a significant increase in unauthorized migration attempts this summer. According to Poland's Interior Ministry, close to 14,000 individuals have attempted to cross into the EU from Belarus between June and August 2025, compared to 7,500 during the same period in 2024.

Poland and the European Union have accused Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko of orchestrating the movement of migrants from crisis-stricken regions to the EU border, purportedly as a means of exerting political pressure on Western nations. Many of these migrants aim to continue their journey from Poland into Germany.

In response to the escalating situation, Poland fortified its border with Belarus last summer by erecting a 5.5-meter high fence equipped with an electronic surveillance system. This border also serves as a crucial external boundary for the EU.

Poland's Border Guard categorizes attempted unauthorized crossings into two distinct types: incidents where migrants successfully traverse the fence or a border river and are subsequently apprehended on Polish territory, and cases where migrants are observed attempting to breach the fence but fail to do so.

The Polish border, which stretches approximately 400 kilometers, shares its western side with Belarus, a country allied with Russia. Due to the persistent tension in the region, the Polish Interior Ministry has announced an extension of the restricted zone along the border for an additional three months, now lasting until December 4. This zone extends 200 meters into Polish territory, with certain areas reaching up to four kilometers. Access to this area is limited to security personnel and local residents, while journalists and humanitarian organizations must obtain special permission to enter.

The situation at the border remains critical, with authorities on high alert as they manage the ongoing influx of migrants. The Polish government continues to prioritize border security as part of its commitment to safeguarding the integrity of EU external borders.