Poland’s training reveals how many Poles ready to confront Russia
The number of Polish citizens willing to resist Russia has become known (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
Poland is accelerating military training for its population: tens of thousands of volunteers are undergoing training, and defense spending has reached a record 4.7% of GDP - the highest level in NATO, according to Reuters.
Poland is strengthening its citizens’ military preparedness amid the threat from Russia. In the first seven months of 2025, more than 20,000 residents of the country enrolled in voluntary training, setting a record.
The mass participation of Poles in military exercises reflects growing concern over possible aggression from Moscow and society’s desire to be ready for defense.
In the northern city of Braniewo, just a few kilometers from the Russian border, large-scale military exercises are underway. Among the volunteers is 36-year-old Agnieszka Jedruszak, an office administrator and mother of a teenager. She said, “I'd do anything to keep my child safe. And I would definitely want to fight to protect him.” Stories like hers have become a symbol of the readiness of Poles to defend their families and country.
According to the Ministry of Defense, by the end of the year, the number of volunteers who have completed training could reach 40,000 — twice the 2022 level. With rising tensions, Poland has significantly increased defense spending, from 2.2% of GDP in 2022 to 4.7% in 2025. This is the highest level among NATO countries, surpassing Germany, France, and the United Kingdom.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasizes that Europe must take greater responsibility for its own security, given the uncertainty in the US position. In response to these challenges, Poland has begun building the Eastern Shield defense line along the border with Belarus and the Kaliningrad region, strengthened army recruitment, and shifted focus toward mobility, armored vehicles, and air defense systems.
Today, the Polish Armed Forces rank third in NATO in terms of personnel, with 216,000 troops. Authorities plan to expand the army by almost one-third over the next decade, and the new program aims to train up to 100,000 volunteers by 2027.
Deputy Minister of Defense Paweł Zalewski stated, “We're ready to face the kind of threat that is real today. And we're preparing for the threat that will be real tomorrow.”
The Polish Sejm approved a law regulating financial support for Ukrainians in Poland and extending their legal status until March 2026. The parliament passed the legislation governing the status of Ukrainian citizens who arrived in Poland due to Russia’s full-scale aggression, as well as the mechanism for providing them with financial support.
Additionally, on the night of September 12, Poland closed its border with Belarus amid joint Russian-Belarusian military exercises. According to Polish Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński, the decision was made for security reasons.
