In response to these mounting concerns, Poland announced its plans to deploy up to 10,000 additional troops along its border with Belarus to support the Border Guard.
Lithuania also took precautionary measures by closing two border checkpoints with Belarus due to the presence of Wagner mercenaries on Belarusian soil.
The geopolitical ramifications of these events have broader implications, particularly in the context of the Suwalki Corridor, a strategic area separating Russia’s Kaliningrad Oblast from Belarus. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda discussed the security challenges posed by this corridor and emphasized the necessity of vigilance among NATO allies.
Belarus initiated military exercises near its borders with Poland and Lithuania, which escalated tensions. The move was reminiscent of how Russia’s conflict with Ukraine began.
The Wagner drills were designed to include collaborative efforts among various military units and the use of drones. While NATO has not identified an immediate military threat stemming from Wagner’s presence, the alliance remains watchful. And it continues to monitor the activities of the private military company in the region.
