In the wake of a 24-hour mutiny against the Russian military on June 23, rumors circulated that the Wagner mercenary group, led by Yevgeny Prigozin, would establish a new base in Belarus. However, Poland’s intelligence services have discovered no proof to support these claims, according to the Polish Interior Minister.
While satellite imagery indicated the construction of a camp and there were reports of Prigozin’s presence in Belarus, Mariusz Kamiński clarified that the Wagner troops seemed to have remained in Russia. Speaking to the i.pl portal, Kamiński stressed that, apart from their leader, there was no confirmation of the Wagner Group’s presence in Belarus.
Acknowledging the potential for the situation to change at any moment, Poland has taken measures to prevent any destabilization of its border. Kamiński highlighted the risk of the mercenaries using tactics to increase pressure on Poland’s border, warning of possible provocations. He also expressed concerns that the Wagner Group could be utilized to divert attention from more significant threats posed by the Russian and Belarusian regimes.
Kamiński described the Wagner Group as consisting not only of Russian soldiers but also murderers and criminals who are dangerous and ruthless. He affirmed that Poland would never tolerate the destabilization of its border. In response to the situation, the Polish government announced the deployment of 500 police officers to the Belarusian border to support the existing forces of 5,000 border guards and 2,000 soldiers.
Kamiński concluded by cautioning that if the Wagner mercenaries did arrive in Belarus, it would not be for rest but to carry out a mission, potentially targeting Ukraine, Lithuania, or Poland.