Poland's Iron Curtain 2.0: New border fences with Russia and Belarus

Poland plans to start constructing fortifications along its borders with Russia and Belarus by the end of 2024, according to Deputy Defense Minister Cesarius Tomczyk.

At a recent news conference, he announced that within the next three weeks, the country will conduct initial tests of elements from the “Eastern Shield” system at Polish military training grounds, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

This year will see the commencement of building the first structures along the northern and eastern borders. The project will also involve collaboration with Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, as well as British and U.S. military forces.

The ongoing war in Ukraine has prompted Poland to ramp up its defence spending, which is projected to reach 4.2% of GDP in 2024 and increase to 4.7% in 2025. Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized that this trend is expected to continue in the years ahead.

Additionally, the minister expressed concerns about the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, fearing it may divert international attention, including that of the United States, away from Ukraine, which he described as detrimental to Poland's interests.

Earlier, the minister indicated that Poland does not rule out the possibility of a Russian attack following the conclusion of the war in Ukraine. To address this threat, the Polish Defense Ministry is taking concrete steps to enhance military readiness, having signed contracts for over 4 billion euros in weapon supplies. In May, Polish authorities announced plans to invest around 2.3 billion euros to strengthen the northern and eastern borders.

Meanwhile, Lithuanian Interior Minister Agne Bilotaite announced plans to establish a “wall of drones” on the border with Russia. This initiative aims to extend across the Baltic States, Norway, Finland, and Poland, utilizing drones and technology to bolster border security and monitor for potential provocations and smuggling activities. Lithuania has already formed a specialized unit within its State Border Guard Service to manage drone surveillance efforts.

By Tamilla Hasanova