Poland deploys a new group on the border with Belarus

Poland has deployed a task force of its troops on the border with Belarus to respond to provocations from the Belarusian side.

This was announced by Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak, according to his statement on the government website.

"I decided to create a military task force in the operation codenamed RENGAW. The task of the soldiers will be to train the Polish army here, in the field, in Podlaskie Voivodeship, as well as to support if the situation on the Polish-Belarusian border deteriorates," the minister said.

On August 12, the head of the Ministry of Defense was in eastern Poland, where soldiers of the Polish Army are on duty, supporting the Border Guard in its operations.

"The nature of this military task force is training and defense. We have Operation GRYF under the command of the Border Guard, which is to close and strengthen the border. Up to 4,000 Polish army soldiers will take part in this operation, but I have decided to create a military task force in the operation codenamed RENGAW," Blaszczak said.

He appointed Colonel Arkadiusz Mikolajczyk as the commander of the RENGAW task force and Colonel Grzegorz Kalichak as the deputy commander.

According to Blaszczak, soldiers deployed in other parts of Poland will join the troops from Podlasie on a daily basis. These will be both operational and territorial troops.

The head of the Ministry of Defense also drew attention to the actions of Kremlin propaganda. As he noted, the strengthening of the Polish border by the Polish army will be used by the Kremlin propaganda apparatus.

"The nature of this military task force is training and defense. Let's remember this when we hear Kremlin propaganda saying that the Polish army is gathering at the border. This is true, but the Polish army is gathering to deter the aggressor. This is the way it is and will be, despite these various disinformation campaigns," the minister said.

Author - Olena Madiak, 13/08/2023