Poland Alleges Russian-Backed Tunnel Operations in Belarus
Poland has accused Russia of orchestrating a tunnel operation in Belarus, reminiscent of tactics used by Hamas, to facilitate illegal immigration into Europe and destabilize Western nations. Polish authorities claim that the dictator of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, has recruited skilled tunnel builders from the Middle East to create passages beneath the shared border. This initiative is thought to assist in the influx of unauthorized immigrants.
Lieutenant Colonel Katarzyna Zdanowicz from the Polish Border Force mentioned, “Officials from the Podlaski border guard have uncovered four tunnels under the border with Belarus, all during 2025.” She highlighted that the use of both physical and electronic security measures, such as thermal imaging cameras, enables a rapid response to any violations—even those occurring underground.
The Russian government has faced long-standing accusations of undermining Europe through its involvement with Belarus, utilizing illegal immigrants at border points like Poland and Lithuania. These nations have since constructed barriers to counter what they view as “hybrid warfare.”
Warsaw asserts that Minsk has engaged tunnel-building experts from groups like Hamas or other militant factions in an apparent effort to breach these defenses. In December, it was announced that a tunnel near the eastern village of Narevka, which was about 1.5 meters high, had been used by approximately 180 illegal immigrants, primarily from Afghanistan and Pakistan, to attempt entry into Poland. The tunnel reportedly extended 50 meters into Belarus and 10 meters into Polish land.
American military historian Dr. Lynette Nassbacher offered insight, questioning the origins of the tunnel builders and suggesting that they likely have connections to various powers in the Middle East. She stated, “There is also ample evidence that Hamas is doing the same thing in Gaza. So if you want deep expertise in tunneling, the answer to your question will be with the Middle Easterners.”
Past tensions between Belarus and Poland escalated in 2021 when confrontations arose between migrants and Polish troops, who used water cannons to repel rock-throwing individuals. Reports from that time suggested that Lukashenko’s government, potentially acting under Moscow’s influence, enticed migrants to the Polish border with false promises of free transportation to Germany if they could reach the EU.
Poland isn’t alone in its measures against Russian-backed migrant strategies. In 2022, Lithuania erected a 300-mile barbed-wire fence along its border with Belarus to deter similar attempts at mass migration.
