WARSAW (Reuters). Polska security forces fired water cannons at migrants trying to cross over the Belarusian border. Thousands of them were trying to get into Europe, as video from authorities shared on Tuesday.

As a result of the crisis, the EU has prepared further sanctions for Belarus. Belarus is accused of trying to undermine the bloc through illegal migration.

Video footage shared by the Ministry of Defence and a spokesperson from the Polish government showed that the situation at the border has escalated further, with migrants forming a growing number on the Belarusian-side in the week.

According to footage shown by TVP, the loudspeaker voiced a message directed at migrants who were throwing objects.

EU claims Belarus has encouraged migrants to cross border from Belarus in retaliation against earlier sanctions imposed on the country last year for cracking down on protests over President Alexander Lukashenko’s controversial re-election.

Belarus, which is a Russian close ally, stated that the claims it has fuelled the border crises were “absurd”.

The Ministry of Defence of Poland tweeted that the Belarusian authorities gave migrants sound grenades for Polish soldiers and border guards.

Polish authorities claim more than 20,000 members of the Polish police, army, or border guard are strengthening the border in areas where migrants have congregated near Kuznica.

Lithuanian authorities claimed that the situation is under control and an interior deputy minister stated that 47 individuals had been arrested for trying to cross the border.