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Poland Tests Its Eastern Shield Aimed at Protecting Against a Possible Russian Invasion.
To strengthen the security of its eastern border and NATO’s eastern flank, Poland is currently testing fortifications and engineering elements at the Orzysz training ground. This project, known as the "Shield of the East" (Tarcza Wschód), reflects Poland’s commitment, along with its regional allies, to improve defense and deterrence infrastructure in response to potential threats. Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz announced these fortification exercises on his X platform account, stressing the importance of being able to “deter and, in the event of an attack, repel the enemy.”
The defensive installations along this border area include anti-tank ditches, minefields, reinforced concrete tetrapods, barbed wire, and other engineering obstacles. (Picture source: Poland MoD)
On May 27, 2024, Polish defense authorities launched the "Shield of the East," a major project aimed at strengthening anti-drone surveillance and ground defense along Poland’s 700-kilometer eastern border with Russia and Belarus. The initiative includes constructing a series of fortifications and barriers designed to protect Polish territory, restrict enemy movement, and facilitate the mobility of Polish forces, while ensuring civilian safety.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk attended the field demonstrations, expressing his satisfaction with the progress of the program, saying, "I am glad to see the Shield of the East getting off to such a serious start."
This extensive project, set to unfold over several years from 2024 to 2028, requires an estimated investment of at least 10 billion PLN. The necessary funds will come from both the Polish budget and European contributions, underscoring the strategic importance of the program for the European Union. Although the Shield of the East is a Polish-led initiative, the Baltic States and Finland are also undertaking similar efforts to secure their borders in response to increasing geopolitical challenges in the region.
The defensive installations along this border area include anti-tank ditches, minefields, reinforced concrete tetrapods, barbed wire, and other engineering obstacles. These measures aim not only to protect Poland’s borders against potential threats from Russia’s Kaliningrad region and Belarus but also the shared border with Ukraine. Over $152 million will be invested in acquiring specialized heavy equipment for constructing these barriers.
Diagram from Poland's Ministry of National Defence that shows planned border defenses (Picture source: Poland MoD)
Chief of Staff General Wiesław Kukuła had previously outlined that the Shield of the East would include a network of surveillance towers, anti-drone systems, anti-tank barriers and ditches, bunkers, and potential minefield areas, primarily intended to deter potential aggressors. The funding for this extensive defense infrastructure, which will also involve collaboration with the Baltic States—Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia—will be drawn from the Polish government, which allocates over 4% of its GDP to defense, with additional support expected from the European Union.
Among the installations currently being tested is a mechanized bridge deployed at Orzysz, along with heavy equipment such as the PT-91 tank, highlighting the importance of this infrastructure in enhancing Poland’s defense capabilities. Prime Minister Tusk emphasized that these efforts, from barrier construction to drone deployment, should be viewed as an "investment in peace and security," not merely an exercise.
The fortification work, aimed at consolidating the defense of NATO’s eastern flank, underlines Poland’s goal of deterring any hostile incursions. This project, carried out in collaboration with the Baltic States and Finland, seeks to establish a common defense line against potential threats along this sensitive border region, reinforcing both Poland’s national security and that of its European neighbors.