POLAND is stepping up security at its European Union border with Belarus following reports that a large group of migrants in Belarus is heading for a crossing point, officials said yesterday.

Polish Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said on Twitter that more than 12,000 soldiers have been deployed on the border, up from the 10,000 soldiers there recently.

He said that his ministry, together with the Interior Ministry, which is responsible for police and border guards, was “prepared to defend the Polish border, ” and he posted video footage of what appeared to be a large group of migrants just across the border in Belarus.

Poland has been under increasing pressure from migrants from the Middle East and Africa trying to cross into the EU. Officials are blocking these attempts or sending those who cross back into Belarus.

Warsaw and the EU claim it is an organised action by the Belarusian government aimed at destabilising the bloc in retaliation for Western sanctions.

Poland’s border guard force has reported incidents of hostile behaviour and threats by Belarusian forces directed across the border.