Poland has accused a Russian ally of violating its airspace, with tensions mounting at the border amid a troop build-up from both sides.
Warsaw said it was sending additional troops and military hardware to reinforce its defences after two Belarusian helicopters reportedly crossed into its territory on Wednesday.
"Accusations of a violation of the Polish border by Mi-24 and Mi-8 helicopters of the Belarusian Air Force and Air Defense Forces are far-fetched and made by the Polish military and political leadership to justify the build-up of forces and means at the Belarusian border," they said. Belarus' charge d'affairs had been"immediately summoned" to Warsaw according to Poland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with a"firm protest" issued in response to the airspace violation.
Poland also informed NATO of the incursion, with the military alliance understood to be growing concerned about the Russian ally's posturing. Picture: Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images However, recent comments from Russian President Vladimir Putin, which suggested Poland itself was looking to invade Ukraine, have fueled fears the Kremlin may be trying to destabilise the country.