Migrants being registered en masse at the Poland-Belarus border

Unprecedented migrant attempts at the Poland-Belarus border: Over 13,800 individuals tried to cross this border during the summer months, despite being one of the most fortified EU external frontiers.

, and Administrator

2025 September 14 . 10:54 AM

2 min read

Migrants are being registered by Polish authorities at the border with Belarus.

Migrants being registered en masse at the Poland-Belarus border

In the summer of 2022, Poland witnessed a significant increase in the number of attempts to illegally cross its border with Belarus. According to the latest data, between June and August, there were 13,800 such attempts, marking a stark contrast to the 7,500 attempts recorded in the same period the previous year.

The Polish border, which also serves as an EU external border, is secured with a 5.5-meter-high fence and an electronic surveillance system. The restricted zone, extending up to 200 meters deep and up to four kilometers in some places, is strictly restricted, with only security forces and residents allowed to be present. Journalists and aid organizations require special permission.

The border is a point of entry for migrants who are part of a movement allegedly orchestrated by Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko. The European Union and Poland accuse Lukashenko of using these migrants as a tool to put pressure on the West. Many of these migrants aim to continue their journey to Germany from Poland.

The exact number of attempted illegal entries into Poland from Belarus in summer 2023 is not specified in the available search results. However, the ongoing tense situation has led the Interior Ministry to extend the restricted zone along this border for another three months, until December 4.

The border between EU and NATO member Poland and Belarus, a Russian ally, is approximately 400 kilometers long. The border guard's count includes cases where migrants were found on the Polish side after overcoming the fence or a border river, and cases where they were detected directly at the fence but failed to breach the barrier.

The electronic surveillance system is part of the security measures implemented on Poland's border with Belarus. Despite these measures, the increased number of attempts to illegally cross into Poland via Belarus remains a concern for the Polish authorities.