Official announcements from the Polish government or defense ministry, credible news sources

Poland to Triple Military Presence at Russian and Belarusian Borders, Station 17,000 Soldiers Amid Tensions

Jul 12, 2024, 05:40 PM

Poland is taking significant steps to bolster its military presence and defense capabilities in response to perceived threats from Russia and Belarus. The Polish government has announced plans to triple its military presence along its borders with Russia and Belarus. Additionally, Poland will increase its defense budget by about 10% in 2025, reaching a record high. This move is part of Poland's broader strategy to build the largest army in Europe and spend more on defense than any other NATO nation. In a related development, Poland has announced that it will increase the number of soldiers stationed at the Belarusian border to 17,000. This comes amid rising tensions and incidents at the border, including reports of Polish soldiers and border guards firing warning shots to deter large groups of illegal migrants from North Africa and the Middle East attempting to breach the border fence. Polish officials believe the surge in arrivals through Belarus is the latest tactic in Russia’s hybrid war with the West. A Polish border guard was killed by spear-throwing migrants, highlighting the dangerous conditions at the border.