In his lifetime, Kazimierz, 67, has seen the rise and fall of the Berlin Wall, the end of communism and the collapse of the Soviet Union. He says he has learnt one major lesson from life in this frozen corner of Poland: “You should never trust the Russians.”
In Suwalki, the nearest large town to the border in the country’s north-east, Kazimierz is far from alone in harbouring suspicions about the aggressive instincts of Russia and its junior partner Belarus. But, he shrugs, there is nothing much he can do about it.
After a 300-year history of shifting borders, invasions and occupation by Russia and Germany, the town's population of 70,000 sees the diplomatic battle over migrants crossing from nearby Belarus as just the latest chapter in troubles sparked by outsiders in this sensitive region.
Migrants who have failed to breach the border between Belarus and Poland have told The National that they felt like pawns in a greater geopolitical game, in which they have lost everything.
In Poland, the epicentre of that game is in Suwalki, known as the “North Pole of Poland” because of its harsh winters, which has endured its fair share of trouble from the powers at its borders.
Some analysts see the hidden hand of Russia behind Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s decision to allow thousands of mainly Middle Eastern migrants into his country before directing them towards Poland’s borders and the gateway to the European Union.
But Warsaw’s tough response is not just a sign of its government’s anti-migrant policies but a desire to show Russia that it will not tolerate any attempts to meddle in its affairs, or to drive a wedge between Poland and its allies.
“In this case, he [Lukashenko] hasn’t succeeded,” a Minsk-based diplomat told The National. “He wanted to separate us — or de-unite us — but he has made the wrong calculation.”
The potential threat to Suwalki stems from its position close to the border of Lithuania, one of three Baltic states, with Latvia and Estonia, that reclaimed their independence in 1991 with the collapse of the Soviet empire.
The three states — all Nato members — share a 1,400-kilometre border with Belarus and Russia. But they are only linked to the rest of the alliance through a 90-kilometre wide gap to Poland that has been called the “Suwalki corridor” in a nod to the Polish town at its southern end.
The corridor separates the strategically-important and well-armed Russian seaport territory of Kaliningrad from Belarus, a Moscow ally. The fear for Nato and its Baltic members is that a swift Russian-led operation from Belarus across the corridor to reunite territories under the sway of Moscow would cut the three nations off from the alliance.
With only two roads and a rail line linking Poland and the Baltic states, military planners have long worried that Nato would struggle to react in time. Russia could potentially also move into north-east Poland towards Suwalki to create a further buffer in the forested region between Russia and Nato forces, said local historian Krzystof Sklowdowski.
He has charted the history of the town that was once part of the Russian Empire in the 19th century, when a major garrison was based there.
Poland won its independence in 1918 but Soviets invaded the town at the start of the Second World War and promptly handed it over to Adolf Hitler’s Germany, which wiped out its significant Jewish population.
“There is no strong resentment or racist attitude towards these migrants from the people here,” said Mr Sklowdowski. “They are aware that these migrants don’t want to stay in Poland.
“But the reason why the Polish leadership is so focused on defending the border is because it sends a very strong signal to the Russians if they want to test our resolve. They want to send a strong signal to the aggressor that, even in the case of conflict, there will be a reaction.”
The prospect of a Russian-led operation against a Nato-led member is considered unlikely by some analysts but Moscow's annexation of Crimea from non-Nato member Ukraine in 2014 changed the rules of the game.
President Vladimir Putin was buoyed by popular support from within Russia for the campaign. He is seen as a “far greater Soviet patriot than a Russian one”, who seeks to reunite former territories of the communist era and expose Nato as a “paper tiger,” wrote Leon Aron, a director of Russian studies at the American Enterprise Institute, in Politico in March.
“That criteria would be met by a fast and victorious poke at Nato’s eastern flank, the member states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Could there be a more satisfying coda to Putin’s desire to recover past glory … a feat that even the mighty Soviet Union could not pull off?”
The threat to the Suwalki Gap has been recognised by the US, which signed a deal in 2020 with Warsaw to increase the number of its troops in Poland to strengthen defences on the alliance’s eastern flanks.
A 2018 paper co-authored by a former commander of US forces in Europe warned that if the Russians closed the gap it would give Moscow a frontier running all the way between the Baltic Sea and Ukraine. It would allow Russia to “consolidate its political stranglehold over Belarus, and more directly threaten Poland’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
Eugene Chausovsky, a non-resident fellow at Newlines Institute, a Washington DC-based foreign policy think tank, said it was unlikely to be in Russia’s interests to launch provocative military action against a Nato member.
“The US has raise this spectre of Russian military build-ups and potential actions like Ukraine in the Suwalki Gap,” said Mr Chausovsky. “But this would be an extremely confrontational step for Russia. I don’t think it’s up for taking Nato territory.”
Given the painful history of the town, the Russians — shown to be adept at the use of disinformation and influence peddling to back its military strength — could seek to inflame ethnic divisions to pursue its goals, the Atlantic Council think tank said.
EU and Nato leaders at the weekend vowed to step up co-operation against “hybrid threats” — attempts to undermine the alliance using military and other forms of destabilisation, such as disinformation and meddling in elections.
Nato foreign ministers are meeting from Tuesday in Latvia for talks that are set to be dominated by concern about the security threat posed by the migrant crisis and Russia's military build-up near the border with Ukraine. Russia has denied any prospect of an invasion.
Witold Rodkiewicz, of the Russian department at the Centre for Eastern Studies, said an attack on the Suwałki corridor was less likely than on Ukraine but said that the Moscow leadership “sees the use of military force as a normal tool of Russian foreign policy making.”
“Any scenario that would require Nato to defend the Baltic states includes using the Suwałki corridor as an essential military backup for the Alliance," he said. "If Nato fails to deter or defend effectively its Baltic members against Russian aggression, the costs for the Polish security would be horrendous.”
The potential of more Russian-led aggression is of concern in Suwalki, said Katarzyna Burba, a tour guide at the local museum.
“People are concerned about what’s happening at the border. I think that people know that the migrants are not the problem, but what Russia is going to do next. It’s hard to predict what’s going to happen.”
How to donate
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
Company%20profile
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Series info
Test series schedule 1st Test, Abu Dhabi: Sri Lanka won by 21 runs; 2nd Test, Dubai: Play starts at 2pm, Friday-Tuesday
ODI series schedule 1st ODI, Dubai: October 13; 2nd ODI, Abu Dhabi: October 16; 3rd ODI, Abu Dhabi: October 18; 4th ODI, Sharjah: October 20; 5th ODI, Sharjah: October 23
T20 series schedule 1st T20, Abu Dhabi: October 26; 2nd T20, Abu Dhabi: October 27; 3rd T20, Lahore: October 29
Tickets Available at www.q-tickets.com
Stat Fourteen Fourteen of the past 15 Test matches in the UAE have been decided on the final day. Both of the previous two Tests at Dubai International Stadium have been settled in the last session. Pakistan won with less than an hour to go against West Indies last year. Against England in 2015, there were just three balls left.
Key battle - Azhar Ali v Rangana Herath Herath may not quite be as flash as Muttiah Muralitharan, his former spin-twin who ended his career by taking his 800th wicket with his final delivery in Tests. He still has a decent sense of an ending, though. He won the Abu Dhabi match for his side with 11 wickets, the last of which was his 400th in Tests. It was not the first time he has owned Pakistan, either. A quarter of all his Test victims have been Pakistani. If Pakistan are going to avoid a first ever series defeat in the UAE, Azhar, their senior batsman, needs to stand up and show the way to blunt Herath.
Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,200m, Winner: ES Rubban, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ibrahim Aseel (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000 (T) 1,200m, Winner: Al Mobher, Sczcepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m, Winner: Jabalini, Tadhg O’Shea, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m, Winner: AF Abahe, Tadgh O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: AF Makerah, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Law Of Peace, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
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Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
Scores
Rajasthan Royals 160-8 (20 ov)
Kolkata Knight Riders 163-3 (18.5 ov)
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Recent winners
2002 Giselle Khoury (Colombia)
2004 Nathalie Nasralla (France)
2005 Catherine Abboud (Oceania)
2007 Grace Bijjani (Mexico)
2008 Carina El-Keddissi (Brazil)
2009 Sara Mansour (Brazil)
2010 Daniella Rahme (Australia)
2011 Maria Farah (Canada)
2012 Cynthia Moukarzel (Kuwait)
2013 Layla Yarak (Australia)
2014 Lia Saad (UAE)
2015 Cynthia Farah (Australia)
2016 Yosmely Massaad (Venezuela)
2017 Dima Safi (Ivory Coast)
2018 Rachel Younan (Australia)
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
Company%20Profile
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UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Roll%20of%20Honour%2C%20men%E2%80%99s%20domestic%20rugby%20season
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Key fixtures from January 5-7
Watford v Bristol City
Liverpool v Everton
Brighton v Crystal Palace
Bournemouth v AFC Fylde or Wigan
Coventry v Stoke City
Nottingham Forest v Arsenal
Manchester United v Derby
Forest Green or Exeter v West Brom
Tottenham v AFC Wimbledon
Fleetwood or Hereford v Leicester City
Manchester City v Burnley
Shrewsbury v West Ham United
Wolves v Swansea City
Newcastle United v Luton Town
Fulham v Southampton
Norwich City v Chelsea
More from Neighbourhood Watch
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
TOURNAMENT INFO
Fixtures
Sunday January 5 - Oman v UAE
Monday January 6 - UAE v Namibia
Wednesday January 8 - Oman v Namibia
Thursday January 9 - Oman v UAE
Saturday January 11 - UAE v Namibia
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid, Darius D’Silva, Karthik Meiyappan, Jonathan Figy, Vriitya Aravind, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Basil Hameed, Chirag Suri
Bournemouth 0
Manchester United 2
Smalling (28'), Lukaku (70')
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES
All kick-off times 10.45pm UAE ( 4 GMT) unless stated
Tuesday
Sevilla v Maribor
Spartak Moscow v Liverpool
Manchester City v Shakhtar Donetsk
Napoli v Feyenoord
Besiktas v RB Leipzig
Monaco v Porto
Apoel Nicosia v Tottenham Hotspur
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid
Wednesday
Basel v Benfica
CSKA Moscow Manchester United
Paris Saint-Germain v Bayern Munich
Anderlecht v Celtic
Qarabag v Roma (8pm)
Atletico Madrid v Chelsea
Juventus v Olympiakos
Sporting Lisbon v Barcelona
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStreaming%20on%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMBC%20Shahid%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Key developments in maritime dispute
2000: Israel withdraws from Lebanon after nearly 30 years without an officially demarcated border. The UN establishes the Blue Line to act as the frontier.
2007: Lebanon and Cyprus define their respective exclusive economic zones to facilitate oil and gas exploration. Israel uses this to define its EEZ with Cyprus
2011: Lebanon disputes Israeli-proposed line and submits documents to UN showing different EEZ. Cyprus offers to mediate without much progress.
2018: Lebanon signs first offshore oil and gas licencing deal with consortium of France’s Total, Italy’s Eni and Russia’s Novatek.
2018-2019: US seeks to mediate between Israel and Lebanon to prevent clashes over oil and gas resources.
The Gentlemen
Director: Guy Ritchie
Stars: Colin Farrell, Hugh Grant
Three out of five stars
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
RESULT
Fifth ODI, at Headingley
England 351/9
Pakistan 297
England win by 54 runs (win series 4-0)
The Bio
Favourite Emirati dish: I have so many because it has a lot of herbs and vegetables. Harees (oats with chicken) is one of them
Favourite place to go to: Dubai Mall because it has lots of sports shops.
Her motivation: My performance because I know that whatever I do, if I put the effort in, I’ll get results
During her free time: I like to drink coffee - a latte no sugar and no flavours. I do not like cold drinks
Pet peeve: That with every meal they give you a fries and Pepsi. That is so unhealthy
Advice to anyone who wants to be an ironman: Go for the goal. If you are consistent, you will get there. With the first one, it might not be what they want but they should start and just do it
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Evacuations to France hit by controversy
- Over 500 Gazans have been evacuated to France since November 2023
- Evacuations were paused after a student already in France posted anti-Semitic content and was subsequently expelled to Qatar
- The Foreign Ministry launched a review to determine how authorities failed to detect the posts before her entry
- Artists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
- It has benefited more than 700 people from 44 countries, including Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Sudan
- Since the start of the Gaza war, it has also included 45 Gazan beneficiaries
- Unlike students, they are allowed to bring their families to France
