The announcement was made by the Polish government and published on its official website (http://www.gov.pl). The border has been closed since midnight on Friday 12 September, with no reopening date set. The decision is linked to aggressive joint Russian-Belarusian drills under the Zapad-2025 (West 2025) exercise, as well as the recent incursion of several drones into Polish territory. Interior and Administration Minister Marcin Kierwiński said the border would reopen only once the safety of Polish citizens could be fully guaranteed, stressing that the military exercises in Belarus were a message directed at both Poland and the European Union.
“During these drills, Russian and Belarusian troops are simulating aggressive scenarios against our country. We will resume operations only when we are certain that the security of Poles is ensured and that no provocations pose a threat. We will keep monitoring the situation closely,” Kierwiński declared. He acknowledged that the closure would have severe consequences for Polish businesses, particularly in the transport sector, and pledged that the government would work to reopen the crossings as quickly as possible. He has also instructed fellow ministers to prepare an impact report on affected industries, opening the door to potential state aid for the sectors most at risk.
According to Polish authorities, the closure of the checkpoints, which are now manned by police and border guards, took place peacefully and without incidents. The restrictions apply in both directions, affecting the movement of people and goods by road and rail alike. The Lithuanian government has voiced concerns that traffic might be diverted onto its territory but at the same time signalled readiness to follow Poland’s lead and close its own borders should the Russian exercises evolve into an overt threat.
Lithuania, like Germany, is already engaged in strict controls to curb illegal migration and will keep its checkpoints in place, the Interior Minister confirmed. However, a surge in vehicle traffic heading to Belarus could overwhelm the system and lead to major congestion at the border. “At present, no significant increase in traffic has been recorded,” said Vsat, the authority responsible for border supervision, in a statement. “Trucks are being distributed across designated parking areas to avoid queues and roadblocks.”
On Friday morning, some 30 to 40 trucks were counted at each crossing, with waiting times of three to four hours. The situation could deteriorate quickly if Polish traffic were diverted en masse to Lithuania. Linava, the Lithuanian National Road Carriers’ Association, voiced strong concern about the impact of border closures and congestion on transport operators, particularly small and medium-sized companies. The risk is that goods could move more slowly along longer alternative routes, driving up costs and extending delivery times.
The situation remains fluid, with developments hinging largely on the progress of the Belarusian drills. The Lithuanian army continues to monitor its borders, maintaining a high state of alert but reporting no signs of an imminent Russian attack. No concentrations of Russian ground forces have been detected near Lithuania’s borders, but in the event of incursions, drone violations, signal interference or other provocations, all crossings will be sealed.
Marco Martinelli
