Putin wants to send migrants to EU through Turkish airline, Bild reports
Vladimir Putin (Photo: Getty Images)
Polish authorities warn of a new organized influx of refugees through Russia and Belarus, aided by an airline in Türkiye, according to Bild.
Belarusian authorities announced that the Turkish charter airline Southwind Airlines would launch direct flights between the largest cities of both countries.
The advantage the airline has over the Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko's state-owned carrier Belavia is that it will operate flights faster.
Southwind Airlines, based in Antalya, Türkiye, was founded shortly after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Three airplanes and a majority of the staff belong to the Russian airline Nordwind Airlines, based in Moscow.
It's noted that the airline is assisting Russia in circumventing sanctions, and in Poland, there's a belief that it is crucial for the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin personally.
The airline may start sending migrants to Europe
The Polish Ministry of Interior and Administration is confident that there is a potential for targeted smuggling of illegal migrants to Western Europe through the new airline.
Bild relies on reports from the Polish Security Cabinet. They believe that Russia and Belarus are intensifying their hybrid operation aimed at boosting migration and, consequently, creating a political crisis in Western countries, especially in Germany.
"It was noted on Arabic social media that Germany would introduce stricter asylum and border rules," the material reads.
Therefore, Polish authorities anticipate a kind of rush both at the border and through the new Turkish airline, which may make a stop in Poland.
Migration crisis at the Finnish-Russian border
On November 30, the Finnish authorities decided to close all checkpoints on the border with Russia. This decision was made against the backdrop of a huge number of illegal migrants seeking to enter Finland from Russian territory.
As previously stated by Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, the government closely monitored the situation at the border and might extend its closure.
On December 13, the Finnish government decided to reopen two border crossing points with Russia. However, the following day, due to an influx of migrants, they were closed again.
