On the frozen frontiers of Europe with the migrants caught in a lethal game

Asylum seekers are pawns in a conflict between Poland and Belarus

On the outskirts of the Biaowiea forest - which bestrides the border between south-east Poland and Belarus - a group of seven Iraqi Kurds make their weary way towards the Polish hamlet of Grodzisk.

The latest miles of their journey have been from Belarus - crossing back and forth twice, deported after their first and second attempts. Now a third time: through sub-zero temperatures, across the primeval forest's marshy terrain. Among them are two children: an eight-month-old girl and a two-year-old boy. When we came upon them, they were afraid to get up off the ground and begged us not to call the police, whispering: They'll kill us."