Poland-Belarus border row escalates as Russia sends nuclear-capable bombers to Belarus airspace
Kremlin move viewed as show of support for Belarus in row with EU over migrants at Poland border
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Your support makes all the difference.Russia dispatched two nuclear-capable strategic bombers to patrol Belarusian airspace in a show of strength amid a deepening row with the EU over migrants at the Belarus/Poland border.
The Kremlin said it sent two Tu-22M3 aircraft, capable of carrying nuclear missiles - including hypersonic weapons of the kind designed to evade air defences - to fly over Belarus on Wednesday
It came after an escalation in hostilities at the border, which saw two groups of migrants crossing into Poland before being detained by officials.
Thousands of migrants from the Middle East, Afghanistan and Africa are trying to get to the EU via Poland, adding to growing concerns of armed conflict grow amid rising hostility between the European Union and Minsk.
Camped in sub-zero temperatures and surrounded by armed guards, water cannons and barbed wire, clashes between migrants seeking entry to the EU and Polish border guards are expected to escalate in the coming days.
The worsening situation has caused alarm across Europe, with the EU accusing Belarus of encouraging illegal migration in revenge for previous sanctions on Minsk over human rights abuses.
There have also been accusations, from Poland, that the crisis is being "masterminded" by Russia to cause another migrant crisis situation within the EU, which the Kremlin denies.
ICYMI: Russia sends bombers to patrol Belarus airspace as migrant crisis escalates
Two groups of migrants broke through border fences from Belarus to Poland overnight as the escalating crisis took on new, militarised dimensions with reports of violence and gunfire on the ground and Russian bombers deployed to fly overhead.
Full report:
Russia sends bombers to patrol Belarus airspace as migrant crisis escalates
Russia also rebuked claims that it was the ‘mastermind’ behind events at the Poland, Belarus border
Poland briefs Nato allies
Poland briefed its NATO allies on Wednesday in Brussels on the migrant crisis on its border, which the alliance said was caused by Belarus and was "unacceptable", a NATO official said after the closed-door meeting.
"Allies made clear that Belarus bears responsibility for the crisis and that the Lukashenko regime’s use of migrants as a hybrid tactic is inhumane, illegal and unacceptable," the official said, referring to President Alexander Lukashenko.
"NATO stands ready to further assist our allies, and maintain safety and security in the region," the official said.
UN: No justification for ‘violent push-backs’ and ‘beating' at border
There is no justification for “violent push-backs” and “beating” of migrants at the Poland/Belarus border, the UN has said.
Filippo Grand, high commissioner for refugees, called on EU countries to uphold the law and not engage on a race to the bottom in dealing with people attempting to make the treacherous journey.
“These challenges simply do not justify the knee-jerk reaction we have seen in some places - the irresponsible xenophobic discourse, the walls and barbed wire, the violent push-backs that include the beating of refugees and migrants,” Mr Grandi told the European parliament.
“The European Union, a union based on the rule of law, should and can do better and in matters of rule of law continue to be an example to others,” he added.
Earlier Belarus accused Poland of beating migrants trying to enter the country.
EU accuses Belarus of ‘hybrid attack’ and threatens fresh sanctions
EU ambassadors accused Belarus of encouraging Middle Eastern migrants to enter Poland, saying the move can be considered a "hybrid attack" that serves as a basis for a new round of sanctions on Minsk,.
Diplomats said the agreement was reached at a closed-door meeting in Brussels among the bloc’s 27 envoys. Belarus denies any wrongdoing and says it, not the EU, is a victim of a "hybrid attack" using unconventional warfare tactics.
Reuters reported on Tuesday that the EU is close to imposing more sanctions on Belarus, targeting some 30 individuals and entities including the foreign minister and Belarusian airline Belavia, with approval as early as next week.
The sanctions package will now be discussed by experts on Thursday with the possibility of approval on Monday when EU foreign ministers hold a scheduled meeting in Brussels.
However, agreement on names and evidence needed to prevent legal challenges mean the sanctions could take longer. EU governments must also decide whether to target Belarus’ state-owned airline Belavia’s existing aircraft leasing contracts or only future deals.
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