Poland to begin construction of defensive lines on border with Russia and Belarus by end of 2024

By the end of 2024, Poland will begin construction of the first elements of defensive fortifications on its borders with Russia and Belarus as part of the East Shield project.

Source: Cezary Tomczyk, Polish Deputy Minister of Defence, during a press conference quoted by Reuters, as reported by European Pravda 

Details: Poland intends to fortify its northern and eastern borders by constructing defensive lines, surveillance, reconnaissance and drone defence systems, costing approximately 10 billion Polish zlotys (approx. US$2.6 billion) by the end of 2028.

Quote: "In the next three weeks, we will be able to carry out the first tests of the East Shield elements on Polish military training grounds, and this year we will start building the first elements ... on the northern and eastern borders," Cezary Tomczyk said.

Details: According to Tomczyk, the project will be developed in cooperation with Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, as well as with the UK and American forces.

Background:

• The war in Ukraine has caused Poland to increase defence spending to 4.2% of GDP in 2024 and 4.7% in 2025.
• Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland asked the European Union to finance the construction of a network of bunkers, barriers, distribution lines and military depots along the borders with Russia and Belarus. 
• Back in January, the three Baltic states announced a plan to create a Baltic Defence Line, and in May, Poland announced a similar project called the Eastern Shield to strengthen its borders with Russia's Kaliningrad Oblast and Belarus.

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