The Operational Command of the Armed Forces of Poland said on the X social media platform: “Today’s statement by the Belarusian side that a Polish helicopter allegedly crossed the border is false. This is confirmed by evidence from flight control and radar stations - such an event did not take place.”
The Polish Army added: “Any information provided by the media is thoroughly analysed and investigated in detail every time. However, information provided by the media of the Belarusian regime must always be approached with caution and prudence, as it has repeatedly been an element of provocation and misinformed the public."
The Operational Command stressed that unlike Belarus, the Polish Army “respects and complies with any rules and regulations on the inviolability of borders.”
Earlier in the day, the Belarusian Ministry of Defence wrote on the Telegram social messaging app: "Around 1520 (1220 GMT) the aircraft crossed the border of the Republic of Belarus, flew to a depth of up to 1.5 kilometres. At 1622, the helicopter repeatedly violated the state border, going 300 metres deep," as cited by the Reuters news agency.
Belarus said it had scrambled military aircraft in response, according to news outlets.
Earlier this month, Belarus said that a Polish helicopter had flown some 1,200 metres into Belarusian territory, a claim that was also rejected by the Polish Army, the state news agency PAP reported.
Relations between Poland and Belarus have been further strained by Belarusian ally Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Reuters news agency reported.
Friday is day 583 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching the largest military campaign in Europe since World War II.
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Source: PAP, Reuters, Ukrainska Pravda