Halfway through the Eastern Shield programme, Poland’s eastern border still has real fortifications along only a few kilometres, according to a new assessment that questions the pace of work. With 744 km of frontier shared with Russia, Belarus and Lithuania, the project is currently relying mostly on natural terrain features.
A French analyst, Clement Molin, studied fortifications built by NATO’s eastern flank countries on their Russian borders and focused part of his report on Poland. His conclusions were based on satellite images. Onet, which visited the border to check the situation, says some of those findings are wrong and others need to be supplemented.
The Eastern Shield is due to be completed in 2028. At the halfway point, actual engineered barriers cover only a few kilometres. The existing fence on the Belarusian border is not considered a military obstacle; it may work against illegal migrants, but not against armoured vehicles. For now, forests, wetlands, rivers and escarpments carry most of the defensive burden.
Suwałki Gap remains the weak point
The Suwałki Gap is widely seen as one of Europe’s most sensitive security zones. In that region Poland’s total land border with three countries reaches 744 km: 210 km with Russia, 430 km with Belarus and 104 km with Lithuania. Onet adds that Lithuania’s border defences are even less advanced.
According to the Ministry of National Defence, more than 61 km of state border has already been secured. That includes linear engineering works and the physical construction of storage sites. This year the plan covers 16 more storage sites, and when combined with previous work, the protected stretch is expected to exceed 200 km.
Storage depots and a seven-day mobilisation
The biggest of the depots will be built in 2026 and cover roughly 20 hectares. The depots are already 70 percent full. Engineering units, using those supplies, could set up fortifications along the entire border within 7 to 14 days, the ministry explains.
The ministry also stresses that Eastern Shield is not limited to trenches and barriers. The programme includes systems that strengthen air defence, radiotechnical troops, CBRN protection, ICT security and medical support for operations. The authorities say the best approach combines engineering infrastructure, reconnaissance and firepower with the natural advantages of the terrain.
A separate track, called the Green Eastern Shield, is being implemented together with the climate ministry. Some 450 million PLN has been allocated for nature restoration, and the first calls for projects have just been launched.
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. KPRM / Flickr.com / CC 2.0 BY-NC-ND
