Migrants and Security Forces Face Off at Polish-Belarusian Border

Poland said it had deployed more than 12,000 security personnel to its border as a large group of migrants attempted to enter the country from Belarus on November 8.

Footage released by the Ministry of National Defense on Monday shows the scene at the border near Kuznica, a village in northeast Poland. In the video, one man is seen cutting a border fence, while another strikes it with a shovel. In response, a man in fatigues sprays a chemical irritant.

The gathering at the border came amid tensions between Poland and Belarus over migration.

Poland has accused Belarus of “provocations at the border.” The EU said Belarus had made “attempts to destabilise the EU and its member states by facilitating irregular migration for political purposes.” Credit: Ministry of National Defense via Storyful