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Russian and Belarusian military maneuvers very close to the Suwalki Gap<\/big><\/p>\n
That troop buildup was carried out under the pretext of military exercises. It is worth noting this because this week, Russia and Belarus have staged military maneuvers on Belarusian territory<\/a>, near the Suwalki Gap\u2014the border between Poland and Lithuania<\/strong>\u2014a line that also separates Belarus from the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad. That corridor is one of NATO's most strategic points, as its occupation would allow Russia and Belarus to cut off the Baltic states<\/strong> (Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia).<\/p>\n Regarding this mobilization, Euronews has reported that Russian and Belarusian troops have been deployed to the Ho\u017ca training ground, near the border with Lithuania<\/a>, and the Brzeski and R\u00f3\u017ca\u0144ski ranges, located 15 and 60 kilometers from the Polish border<\/strong>, respectively. This morning, War Monitor noted that these maneuvers involve more than 9,000 soldiers and simulate an advance toward Kaliningrad<\/a>\u2014in other words, a potential occupation of the Suwalki Gap<\/strong>. NATO is monitoring Russian and Belarusian movements using AWACS aircraft.<\/p>\n On Wednesday, the Russian outlet The Moscow Times reported that these maneuvers involve mechanized and tank battalions<\/a> and are scheduled to take place from September 15 to 18. According to the outlet, Pavel Muraveiko, Chief of the General Staff of Belarus, has stated that these are purely defensive exercises<\/strong>; however, statements from the Kremlin and its puppet regime in Belarus have already proven to lack any credibility. It is worth recalling that Russia also repeatedly denied it would invade Ukraine during the maneuvers it organized in late 2021<\/a>\u2014exercises that actually served to mobilize the military contingents that launched the invasion.<\/p>\n The Polish government warns of possible Russian attacks on allied countries<\/big><\/p>\n Poland is already fearing the worst regarding these maneuvers in Belarus.<\/strong> On Thursday, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that Russia is planning hybrid attacks using drones or rockets against European countries that support Ukraine<\/a>, including Poland. The Polish leader cautioned: \"There is a real risk that drones or other types of projectiles could enter the territory of one or more countries on the eastern flank and even cause destruction<\/strong>,\"<\/em> Tusk warned, adding: \"The official version will be that it was an accident and that there is no reason for NATO to consider a response.\"<\/em><\/p>\n The Polish outlet InfoSecurity24 has reported that Lithuania has already prepared an evacuation plan for the population in the event of a military threat or serious crisis<\/a>, and that one of the three main evacuation routes for residents of Vilnius\u2014the capital of the Baltic state\u2014would lead toward Poland.<\/p>\n The United Kingdom reiterates NATO's collective defense obligation<\/big><\/p>\n On Friday, British Defence Minister Louise Sandher-Jones stated: \"NATO has the capability and commitment to defend every inch of Alliance territory.\"<\/em><\/a> Addressing Parliament, the minister added: \"The UK remains staunchly committed to NATO\u2019s collective defence obligation, offering almost all of our Armed Forces to NATO<\/strong> including high-readiness forces, which can be deployed as part of NATO\u2019s collective defence plans if necessary.\"<\/em><\/p>\n High-level meeting in France on the international situation<\/big><\/p>\n This morning, French President Emmanuel Macron convened a meeting with the country's political leaders<\/a> to outline \"the deterioration of the international situation<\/strong>.\"<\/em> Following the meeting, Macron warned that Russian hybrid attacks against Europe are intensifying<\/a> and vowed that they would not go unanswered. After the meeting, the president of the Radical Party of the Left, Guillaume Lacroix, stated<\/a>: \"I have just emerged from nearly three hours of briefings<\/strong> and discussions with the President of the Republic and intelligence and security agencies. At 50 years old, I have rarely felt such a sense of vertigo. Vertigo in the face of the gravity of the situation in the Middle East and Ukraine<\/strong>, and the predatory madness dragging the world toward chaos.\"<\/em><\/p>\n The Kremlin continues trying to intimidate Europe with threats<\/big><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55536441613_c340de90e4_b.jpg\")
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