ISTANBUL 

Russia criticized Poland’s decision Thursday to shut all border crossings with Belarus, claiming it would escalate tensions in Europe and negatively affect trade and residents.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement that the move, set to take effect Sept. 12, was justified by Warsaw on the grounds of Russia-Belarus joint military drills, West-2025.

Zakharova argued that the exercises were “regularly held with transparency” and noted that Poland ignored a goodwill gesture to move them further from the border and reduce participating forces.

She claimed Poland’s decision was politically motivated and would hurt businesses and trade routes.

“Both entrepreneurs from Poland’s allied countries and national businesses will fall victim to the political ambitions of the current authorities in Warsaw,” she said.

Zakharova also warned that the restrictions would “undermine basic humanitarian principles” by limiting cross-border movement, cutting family and community ties in the border regions.

“We call on Warsaw to think about the consequences of such destructive steps and reconsider the decision as soon as possible,” she added.

Poland imposed air traffic restrictions along its eastern borders with Belarus and Ukraine after Russian drones entered its airspace, according to the Armed Forces’ Operational Command.

The measures, which will remain in place until Dec. 9, followed an incident in which Polish forces, supported by NATO aircraft, shot down suspected Russian drones -- the first such action by a NATO member during Russia's war with Ukraine.

Warsaw has since increased coordination with its allies, while Moscow insisted its drones targeted military sites in western Ukraine and denied aiming for Polish territory.​​​​​​​