By Adam Cailler

Copyright dailystar

Poland has officially demanded all of its citizens leave neigbouring Belarus – one of Russia’s key allies. In an updated notice on the Polish government’s website, officials cite a “drastic deterioration” in security.

The statement, encased in a bold red border, reads: “Due to the increased tensions, the ongoing war in the region, and the repeated arrests of Polish citizens, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises Polish citizens against any travel to the Republic of Belarus.

“In the event of a drastic deterioration in security, restrictions or suspension of border traffic at border crossings with the Republic of Belarus, or other unforeseen circumstances, evacuation may prove significantly more difficult or even impossible.

“We recommend that Polish citizens remaining in the territory of the Republic of Belarus leave its territory by available commercial and private means.

“Currently, only the Terespol-Brest border crossing is open to passenger traffic with Poland. Additionally, the Koroszczyn (Kukuryki)-KozÅ‚owicze border crossing operates for freight traffic.”

The warning also goes on to claim residents should avoid taking “even the smallest amount of drugs of psychotropic substances” into Belarus . . . although that has nothing to do with the war.

It comes 24 hours after Russia’s ambassador to France has told NATO to avoid striking down any Russian-marked planes that enter their territory. Such a shooting down would be seen in the Kremlin’s eyes as declaration of war between the two military powers, he claimed.

The Kyiv Independent reported that Alexey Meshkov told reporters: “You know, there are many NATO planes that violate Russian airspace, deliberately or not, but it happens quite often. They are not shot down afterward,” he said, without giving a clear example.

His comments come after US President Donald Trump said he would have no problem with NATO nations shooting down Russian planes incurring their airspace. It also came after speaking with Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Trump insisted Kyiv could restore its original borders, including the Donbass and Crimea.

In recent weeks, the Russian military have become a focus for Western nations, after Polish air defence forces shot down at least three drones from Moscow that had crossed into its airspace. Estonia also reported that it had three Russian fighter jets enter its airspace in a huge escalation of rhetoric and tensions.

Not even Britain has been spared Russian interference, as on Thursday (September 25), Russian warships were seen entering British waters. This created a standoff between the two nations as Britain warned of serious consequences if Russia continued to send it vessels through British territory.

The Navy was eventually drafted in to keep a close eye on a Russian navy vessel as it slowly helped a freight tanker through the North Sea and into the English Channel. Things became so tense that the HMS Iron Duke — one of the Navy’s most impressive ships had to be drafted to ensure no funny business.

For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.