The Land Shield in defence of Poland
On 1 November, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk officially announced the start of work on the construction of defensive lines on the border with Russia as part of the 'East Shield' initiative. This programme, launched in May, aims to reinforce Polish borders with Belarus and the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad. The initiative is a direct response to rising tensions in Eastern Europe, with Poland aiming to protect its sovereignty and that of its allies, particularly those in the Baltic.
Polish defence consists of a mix of new physical barriers, modern surveillance systems and the development of strategic infrastructure. The plan is not limited to strengthening the land borders, but also includes work on the logistics system and access routes connecting to adjacent areas. With a total budget of 10 billion złoty (approximately $2.5 billion), the programme marks one of Poland's largest defence operations since the end of World War II. Poland worked closely with other NATO members, including Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, to strengthen the collective defence of the Atlantic Alliance's eastern flank.
The Polish Defence Minister, Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, emphasised that this initiative is the largest operation to reinforce Poland's eastern border since 1945. The strategic location of Kaliningrad, a small territory separating Poland from Lithuania, becomes crucial in the context of these new defensive measures, as it represents a direct access point for Russia to the Baltic Sea, as well as the location of Russia's main Baltic fleet.
The 'Suwalki GAP' threat
The 'Suwalki Gap' has become the focal point of Polish defence strategy. This narrow strip of land, only 40 kilometres wide, connects Kaliningrad to Belarus, which is one of Russia's staunchest allies. In the event of a conflict between NATO and Russia, its importance becomes obvious: its occupation by Russian and Belarusian forces could completely isolate the three Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) from the rest of the Atlantic Alliance, thus cutting off the main land route to the rest of Europe.
This scenario was one of the main reasons why Poland decided to intensify the strengthening of its defences. The presence of Russian forces in Kaliningrad, whose capital is also called Kaliningrad, and the link with Belarus, has raised concerns about regional security, especially after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Poland has warned that changes in the geopolitical landscape require concrete and timely responses, considering that Russian forces could take advantage of this vulnerability to strike the Baltic States.
In parallel, Poland faced an increase in hybrid threats, such as illegal immigration promoted by Belarus, which sought to put pressure on the European Union. According to the Polish authorities, Minsk pushed migrants towards the Polish border as part of a destabilisation strategy, a charge that Belarus has always rejected. The Polish response saw the strengthening of border control measures and continued vigilance over any suspicious movements in the border areas.
The Polish response to the risk of aggression
The war in Ukraine has further fuelled fears of a possible escalation of the conflict and a possible attack on the Baltic States. Poland's extreme attention to its borders has been emphasised by Vladimir Putin's return to his threats against NATO members, particularly those closest to Russia. Polish authorities, including Prime Minister Tusk, have stated that Operation East Shield is not only a response to threats from Russia, but a clear message to any potential aggressor.
Poland is not only strengthening its defence lines, but is also trying to demonstrate its willingness to defend not only its borders, but also the entire area of Central and Eastern Europe. As Polish Deputy Defence Minister Tomczyk put it: "This is not just a military barrier, it is a complete security system that helps citizens and deters any aggression." The safety of civilians is one of the crucial aspects of the project, which includes not only fortifications but also hospitals and infrastructure to support local communities.
At a time of increasing geopolitical uncertainty, Poland is preparing its territory for every scenario, as Tomczyk emphasised: "This is our message to any potential aggressor: you will not pass through here." Poland's determination to protect its borders, with the support of allies such as the United States and the entire NATO, becomes a beacon of security in a Europe increasingly threatened by tensions in the East.
Born Alessandro Generotti, C.le Maj. Parachutist on leave. Military Parachutist Patent no. 192806. 186th RGT Par. Folgore/5th BTG. Par. El Alamein/XIII Cp. Par. Condor.
Founder and administrator of the website BRIGATAFOLGORE.NET. Blogger and computer scientist by profession.
