Poland launched a special commission Wednesday to investigate Russian and Belarusian influence in the country, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said, amid growing fears of alleged sabotage and cyberattacks along the Poland-Belarus border.
At a news conference in Warsaw, Tusk and other officials said the commission aims to protect national security across the region as the Russian war against Ukraine enters its third year.
In recent months, the number of attempted border crossings from Belarus into EU member Poland has increased from only a handful a day to 400 a day, Polish officials said.
Polish guards also described being attacked with rocks and other objects by some migrants on the Belarus side of the border.
Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak, who is also head of the secret services, said there are “no doubts” the situation at the border is caused by Russia and Belarus.
“Explaining all the cases from the last 20 years where the traces of Russian or Belarusian activity are visible is very important,” he said.
Russia and Belarus have not made any comments about these accusations.
The special commission will include 12 members and will be led by General Jarosław Strozyk, head of the Military Counterintelligence Service.
On Friday, Warsaw said a false story was published by the Polish Press Agency that Poles would be prepared to fight against Ukraine.
Last month, a government decree set up a panel of security, legal and media experts to shed light on “what the real threats from Russia and Belarus look like today,” said Tusk.
Right-wing conservatives from the previous Polish government set up a committee last year aimed at investigating citizens who may have caved to the “Russian influence.” Those found guilty risked being banned for 10 years from public positions.
Tusk’s government has limited control on the new panel, which is expected to publish its first findings within two months, Tusk said.
Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse.
