NATO Border Heats Up, Belarus Drills Near Suwalki Gap, Poland Ups Its Guard Amid Russia Ukraine War

Belarus has started military exercises near its border with Poland and Lithuania amid heightened tensions with NATO. The Belarusian Defence Ministry said the drills are based on experiences from “the special military operation”, a term used by Russia to describe the war. Experts have warned that the Suwalki Gap can turn into a potential flashpoint area in any confrontation between Russia and NATO. Poland's Border Guard has asked the defence ministry to send another 1,000 troops to the country’s border with Belarus. The request comes amid Polish claims of increase in attempts to illegally cross the Belarus frontier.