Poland reinforces Ukraine border with Patriot and drone forces
Poland steps up defenses in Lublin Voivodeship, which borders Ukraine (photo: Getty Images)
Poland will significantly expand its military units and deploy an additional Patriot air defense system in the Lublin Voivodeship, which borders Ukraine, Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz says.
According to him, the region plans to expand the units of the 18th Mechanized Division, the Air Force Academy in Dęblin, and the helicopter base at Świdnik Airport.
"The Lublin region is already saturated with troops, but there will be more such units," Kosiniak-Kamysz stressed.
A new 18th Motorized Brigade has been established as part of the 18th Mechanized Division. Its headquarters will be located near the towns of Opole Lubelskie and Poniatowa.
In addition, military units will be deployed in other locations across the region:
- A military unit with a motorized brigade battalion and an air defense unit will be stationed in Biłgoraj
- A separate unmanned systems brigade will be formed in Łuków.
"The development of unmanned systems in the Polish Armed Forces is already underway and will continue. Such systems—whether airborne, ground-based, surface or underwater—are a priority for me. And some of these drone forces will be stationed in the Lublin Voivodeship," the Polish minister said.
He also announced a decision to deploy one battery of the Patriot air defense missile system in the Lublin region to strengthen airspace protection.
Notably, the Lublin Voivodeship is in eastern Poland and borders Ukraine's Volyn and Lviv regions.
Also, as previously reported, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte urged allies to prepare for a new wave of Russian hybrid attacks. He was referring to systematic arson attacks and sabotage targeting defense and critical infrastructure in the EU.
The Danish intelligence service also warned of a possible increase in Russia's hybrid attacks against NATO countries in the coming months. The possibility of a limited military operation has also not been ruled out.
