Polish authorities held a press conference on Monday at the headquarters of the General Staff of the Polish Army, unveiling details of a multi-year plan to bolster the Polish border with Belarus and Russia. The initiative, known as “Shield East,” is aimed at enhancing detection, improving warning and tracking systems, setting up forward operational bases, preparing logistics hubs, and creating infrastructure for anti-drone systems. This comes as the country grapples with a migrant crisis believed to be orchestrated by Belarus and Russia.
The Shield East program is part of a broader regional defense strategy, coordinated with the Baltic states, to mitigate threats on NATO’s eastern flank. The primary objectives include hindering the movement of enemy troops, facilitating the movement of Polish forces, and ensuring the security of Polish armed forces.
Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, the head of Poland’s Ministry of National Defense, emphasized the long-term nature of the plan, slated for 2024-2028. He noted that the project would be presented at both European and NATO levels. “We will cooperate with our partners and allies within NATO and the European Union, especially with the Baltic states, drawing on various types of experience and models. We will present this project at the European and NATO level as one of the utmost importance, changing the face of security in the region,” he remarked.
Since 2021, thousands of migrants and refugees, primarily from the Middle East, have crossed or attempted to cross the border between Belarus and Poland. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has blamed Belarus and Russia for the influx, describing it as part of a hybrid attack aimed at destabilizing the region and the European Union. Tusk claims that more than 90 percent of those who cross the Polish border illegally possess Russian visas.
Poland has approximately 700 km of border to secure, including 400 km with Belarus. Deputy Minister Cezary Tomczyk stated that the Shield East plan will commence immediately and is expected to conclude in 2028. The estimated cost of the project is PLN 10 billion (around 2.5 billion USD), with additional funding from the European Union.
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