On the night of September 12, Poland completely closed the border with Belarus on the eve of the start of the joint exercises between Minsk and Moscow “Zapad-2025”. This was announced at a press conference at the Terespil-Brest checkpoint Polish Minister of Internal Affairs Marcin Kerwinski.
“Today at midnight we closed traffic on the Polish-Belarusian border. This decision is connected with the exercises of the West, directly aimed at Poland and Europe. During these exercises, the Russian and Belarusian armies are rehearsing aggressive scenarios against our country, said Marcin Kervinsky.
Restrictions cover all previously active border crossings, as well as rail connections. In total, there are six road crossings between Poland and Belarus, four of which — in Slavatychy (DK63), Polovtsy (DK66), Bobrovnyky (DK65) and Kuznytsia (DK19) — were closed earlier. Now the rest have also stopped working: DK2 in Terespol (passenger traffic) and DK68 in Kukuriki (freight traffic).
In addition, the work of three railway crossings for cargo has been stopped: Kuznia Bialystok – Grodno, Semyanivka – Svysloch and Terespol – Brest. According to the minister, the closure applies in both directions — both for entry from Belarus to Poland and for exit. Information about restrictions will be displayed on electronic signs on highways, as well as on additional mobile VMS signs located closer to the border.
Kerwinski emphasized that the complete suspension of traffic on the border is a “clear signal of Poland’s readiness for radical actions” in case of deterioration of the security situation. At the same time, he noted that the restrictions will not necessarily be lifted immediately after the end of the Russian-Belarusian exercises, but only when the situation becomes safe.
“I understand that this is not an easy decision for many businesses. However, we adopted it, taking care of the safety of the Poles. I want to emphasize clearly: the border closure is not limited to the period of maneuvers. The situation will be constantly analyzed. Border traffic will resume only when we are sure of the complete safety of Poles, the minister said.
