The construction of the barrier on the border between Poland and Russia will begin immediately. This was stated at a press conference by Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak. He added that the wall should be fully completed by the end of 2023.
The decision to install the fence follows tensions over events in Ukraine, and Polish authorities do not rule out illegal border crossings by migrants from Africa and Asia into the EU with territory of Russia.
The defense minister also said the measure was taken as part of an effort to improve Poland's security after Russia recently opened flights from North Africa and the Middle East to Kaliningrad.
It is worth noting that there are currently reports of illegal There have been no border crossings in this area.
“The Polish-Russian border is stable and calm. There were no illegal border crossings. Nevertheless, we are ready for various crisis situations, for all the darkest scenarios, », — says Anna Michalska, spokeswoman for the border guard.
It is expected that the new fence will be similar to the previous one built on the Polish-Belarusian border. Its construction was completed in June this year.
Poland and almost all EU member states are facing a growing number of illegal border crossings. frontex — European Border and Coast Guard Agency — reports that 33,380 border violations were reported in September, the highest number since 2016, when the EU grappled with a migration crisis.
“Pressure remains high on the Central Mediterranean route as the daily flow of refugees creates congestion at collection points in Italy. In September, about 7,200 illegal crossings of — more than in 2021», — Frontex said in a statement.
The Western Balkan route has also become a problem for the EU — 19,160 people have already entered the EU from here, with Syria, Afghanistan and Turkey being the main countries of origin.