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Poland's border alert and UK sanctions over Kara-Murza
Summary
A look back at two regional developments reported in the days before 3 August 2023, involving Poland, Belarus, the United Kingdom and Russia.
What was happening on Europe's eastern edge as 3 August 2023 arrived? Two reports from the preceding days show tension along the Polish–Belarusian frontier and a diplomatic response to a Russian court case.
On 1 August 2023, Poland ordered more soldiers to be deployed near its border with Belarus. The Polish Ministry of National Defence said two Belarusian helicopters, which were carrying out training exercises, had violated Polish airspace. The step increased the military presence on the Polish side of the frontier.
On 31 July 2023, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on judges and officials involved in the prosecution of activist Vladimir Kara-Murza. He had lost an appeal against his 25-year sentence for treason. The measures targeted those who took part in the case against him.
The two developments were separate. One concerned airspace and troop numbers at a border, the other concerned sanctions linked to a court case against a Russian opposition activist.
