Poland Set to Quadruple Troop Deployment at Eastern Border
(MENAFN) Poland is set to quadruple its troop presence along the eastern border, increasing its deployment to around 40,000 soldiers in direct response to the Russia-Belarus Zapad-2025 military drills, scheduled to begin in Belarus on September 12, according to the country’s deputy defense chief.
The move marks a significant escalation in regional military readiness. The number of soldiers stationed at the border will surge from approximately 10,000 to 40,000 within days, a response driven by concerns over the scale and intent of the joint exercises conducted by Moscow and Minsk, which Polish authorities view as offensive in nature.
Deputy Minister of National Defense Cezary Tomczyk stated that Poland has been preparing for the Zapad-2025 scenario for months. He noted that over 30,000 Polish troops have already participated in related readiness exercises, underscoring the seriousness with which the threat is being taken.
“Poland has been preparing for the Zapad-2025 exercises for many months. The Polish military conducted exercises in which over 30,000 soldiers participated,” Tomczyk told Polsat News on Wednesday evening.
“Polish and NATO soldiers are needed to adequately respond to Zapad-2025,” he added. “This is where the war in Ukraine began. Therefore, the Polish military has been preparing for this. In the coming days, we will have approximately 40,000 soldiers on the border.”
Tomczyk also linked a recent airspace violation to the upcoming Zapad exercises. On the night of September 9–10, a total of 19 drones entered Polish airspace, with defense systems intercepting and neutralizing those deemed dangerous.
Just a day after the incident, the Kremlin, along with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Russian Ministry of Defense, denied any connection to the drones, asserting they were not of Russian military origin. Belarus, meanwhile, claimed that the drones had unintentionally strayed and that both Poland and Lithuania had been informed.
In response to the incursion, Ukraine has pledged to assist Poland in strengthening its aerial warning systems. The European Union also swiftly condemned the violation, calling it a serious threat to regional and international security.
“A serious escalation of Russia's actions, an aggressive and reckless act that threatens the security of EU citizens, regional stability, and international peace,” said EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas, speaking on behalf of all 27 member states.
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