Thread by @Mylovanov

Tensions between Poland and Belarus continue to escalate.

Polish combat helicopters now patrol the Belarus border, armed and authorized to fire without hesitation. This response follows airspace violations by Belarusian military helicopters who flew low and undetected 1/ https://t.co/8nYXtHymK1

https://twitter.com/mylovanov/status/1686721829547712512

Poland's Defense Minister said the armed helicopters are on standby readiness at 2 bases near the border. Pilots have combat experience and will fire without hesitation if provoked, he warned. 2/

The helicopter redeployment follows an incident where Belarus said it notified Poland about training flights near the border, but 2 Mi-8 and Mi-24 choppers were photographed flying over a Polish town. 3/

Poland initially denied any airspace violations but has taken a more aggressive stance after facing criticism for the incursion, summoning Belarus' diplomat and now deploying combat-ready helicopters. 4/

Experts see Belarus-Poland border provocations as possible attempts by Russia to distract and pressure NATO's eastern flank while invading Ukraine 5/

This is consistent with another incident at a border with NATO country: yesterday a Russian drone crashed in Romania during attacks on Ukraine's Izmail port, per the local mayor. Residents reported drones flying over homes towards Ukraine. 6/

So both the helicopter crossing into Poland and the drone crash in Romania highlight wider regional instability and risks of escalation with Russian allies and Russia 7/

What is Russia and its Allie’s trying to achieve? As I wrote earlier - distract NATO resources from Ukraine and generate additional tensions between NATO countries and Ukraine

Will Russia succeed? No, it will fail as always 8X https://t.co/n5ZspsGYcI

https://twitter.com/mylovanov/status/1686721841711226880