Poland has announced plans to strengthen the protection of more than 200 kilometers of its northern and eastern borders by the end of the year, according to a statement from the Ministry of Defense. The project, dubbed 'Eastern Shield' (Tarcza Wschodnia), aims to enhance security along the border with Russia's Kaliningrad Oblast and Belarus.
The initiative includes the construction of fortifications, observation towers, and advanced surveillance systems. The first phase, covering 200 kilometers, is scheduled for completion by the end of 2024, with the entire program expected to be finished by 2028. The total cost is estimated at 10 billion zlotys (approximately $2.5 billion).
Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz stated that the project is a response to hybrid threats and increased military activity near NATO's eastern flank. The border with Belarus has seen tensions due to migrant pressure, which Poland and the EU have called a deliberate destabilization effort by Minsk.
The announcement comes as NATO allies increase their presence in the region. Poland has also requested additional support from the alliance to secure its borders. The project is part of a broader effort to bolster the defense of NATO's eastern flank.
