“The buffer zone is effective, which is why it has been extended by another 90 days. The new regulation will enter into force on Sunday, June 8 this year. “ – we read in the Ministry of Interior and Administration.
The ministry indicates that migration pressure applies to foreigners from high migration risk countries, who in organized groups, often counting several dozen people, try to illegally cross the border from Belarus to Poland.
“Their actions are well organized and coordinated. (…) This pressure was artificially caused by the Belarus authorities as part of hybrid activities aimed at destabilizing Poland and other European Union countries,” reads.
Officials argue that The temporary ban on staying in the border zone guarantees the safety of border guard officers, police and soldiers. Extending the bonds of the buffer zone It will also facilitate the work related to the modernization of the dam and reduce the activity of smuggling groupswhich is in line with Poland's international obligations.
How many attempts to cross the Polish-Belarusian border illegally?
After almost 372 days of the buffer zone functioning, the number of attempts to illegally cross the Polish-Belarusian border fell by about 28 percent. From June 13, 2024 to June 1, 2025, almost 22.5 thousand were recorded. such attempts. In the same period, before the introduction of the zone, there were over 31.2 thousand.
Throughout 2024, SG officers presented allegations of organizing and aid in illegal migration to 597 people throughout the country, including from Ukraine (280), Poland (87), Belarus (50) and Georgia (30). A temporary detention was applied to 155 people.
The border guard has so far issued 613 consents to stay in the buffer zone.
BUFORA zone – what does it include?
The zone is forbidden to stay as recently will cover a section of the 78.29 km long border, located within the territorial reach of the Border Guard facilities in Michałów, Narewka, Białowieża, Dubicz Cerkiewne and cherry.
On a section of 59.24 km, the area covered by the ban is 200 m from the line border line. However, on a section of 15.26 km located in the area of the Zone nature reserves is wider and is about 2 km, and on a section of about 3.79 km its width deep into the country is about 4 km.
