Beefing up defenses

Although a militia has already been established by NGOs [Non Government Organizations], Defense Minister Antoni Macierewicz said, "Poland will shortly start enrolling the first volunteers in a 35,000-member paramilitary force aimed at parrying a perceived threat from Russia".

The force's command structure and senior appointments were decided in April and enrollment of the first members of the territorial defense force will start this coming September.




A look at the Polish militia movement

Unlike the paramilitary militia the territorial defense forces will comprise of civilians who have had military training and like the militia is intended to deter Russia from its expansionist aggression


"The territorial defense force is our response to the threat associated with hybrid warfare," said Grzegorz Kwasniak, in charge with setting up the force, referring to the stealth tactic of infiltration used by Russia in Crimea and eastern Ukraine.

Each of Poland's 16 provinces are expected to have a brigade-level force, and Mazovia - the biggest and most populous region in the centre of the country - will have two. Priority in deployment will be given to eastern provinces - Podlachia, Lublin and Podkarpachie - deemed to be the most exposed to Russian pressure.