On Tuesday 22 September, Poland covered six border crossings in the Lublin-Podkarpackie section with increased readiness. The military reinforced the Border Guard, built Hesco bastions and developed anti-aircraft and anti-drone defenses. The government indicates the hazard of Russian provocation and sabotage. For Poles this means a real tightening of the protection of the east border.
Military strengthens six passages
The national defence minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz informed in Dorohusk about the increased presence of soldiers at the Polish border with Ukraine. The decision was made a week earlier during a briefing with Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Minister of the Interior and Administration Marcin Kierwiński explained that a full of six passages on the Lublin-Podkarpackie section were covered by the increased readiness mode.
Additional safety features appeared on the passageways. The sapper regiments set up HESCO bastions within respective hours and the military developed further elements of anti-aircraft, anti-missile and anti-drone defense. According to Kierwiński, additional police stations were created practically within 24 hours of the decision. This is the right response, due to the fact that the state cannot wait with border protection until the provocation becomes a reality.
Risk of sabotage and airspace breaches
Kosiniak-Kamish estimated that Russia was raising the level of escalation towards NATO states. He considered hybrid provocations, acts of sabotage and subsequent attempts to violate Polish airspace to be the most real threats. That's consistent with prior informing of the head of the MON against Russian sabotage.
Patriot batteries were deployed a fewer weeks earlier in Lublin and Mazovia provinces, and have been stationed in Podkarpacie for a long time. The minister announced further expansion of anti-aircraft and anti-dron defence and shelter sites. He besides did not regulation out another safety Committee gathering this week.
Attacks close the Polish border
The strengthening of safety began in early September after information on Russian activities in the border crossing area of Ukraine with Moldova and Romania. Kosiniak-Kamysz besides recalled the September 13 events. About 2 kilometres from the Polish border, the Kiev-Warsaw train locomotive was attacked, and after the drone struck a fire of a fuel station located about 800 metres from the Dorohusk-Ja hours crossing.
These events show why Assistance routes for Ukraine stay the goal of Russian pressure. Hitting the infrastructure on the Ukrainian side may disturb the Polish side's clearance, transport and security. Warsaw must so treat the border as an component of state defence, not just an administrative line operated by the Border Guard.
Allies support the east flank
Alliances are besides active in actions on the east flank. In Poland there are Czech helicopters and Slovakia is expected to deliver radar systems in the coming days. Warsaw besides talks about further missions strengthening Operation east Sentry. Before European services warned against possible investigating of NATO borders.
Alliance support is important, but work for the Polish border must not be passed on to partners. Poland needs its own capabilities to detect drones, fast response, anti-aircraft shields and critical infrastructure protection. Each gap encourages the Kremlin to check how far it can go without a definite answer.
Increased preparedness in six transitions is necessary. Now it is about the sustainability of these safeguards, the efficient cooperation of troops with the Border defender and clear communication with citizens. Continuity of transport, the safety of residents of east voivodships and the credibility of the state are at stake. Russia is investigating the boundaries of pressure. Poland must respond with preparation, not improvisation.
