Poland to extend Eastern Shield defence system to Ukraine border, PM announces

Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk has confirmed that the Eastern Shield defence system, which has already been implemented along the Polish-Belarusian border, will also be extended to cover the country’s border with Ukraine.

Tusk emphasized that the new defences would be necessary for distinct reasons, but assured that the primary goal remains the protection and security of Polish citizens along the entire eastern border, Caliber.Az reports citing Russian media.

"Our actions will also concern the protection of the border with Ukraine—for other reasons—but we want Poles to feel safe along the entire eastern border," he stated.

The program to fortify Poland’s eastern borders was initially announced by Tusk in May. At the time, the prime minister outlined plans to construct a defensive line spanning 400 kilometres along Poland’s borders with Russia and Belarus. However, following further assessments, Polish authorities expanded the project to cover an estimated 800 kilometres.

The proposed fortifications will include a range of defensive measures, such as ditches, minefields, anti-tank hedges, and a sophisticated surveillance system. The total cost of the project is expected to reach $2.5 billion. Construction work on the first section, which involves the installation of concrete "hedgehogs" along the Russia border, began on 1 November and was completed by the end of the month.

By Vafa Guliyeva