Poles unwilling to fight and unaware of bomb shelter locations — study
Photo: Polish Armed Forces (Getty Images)
Analysts in Poland compared public sentiment from 2023 to 2026 to assess how many citizens are willing to defend the country. The results were discouraging, showing a steady cooling of patriotism, according to InfoSecurity24.
According to data from the IBRiS think tank, only 15% of Poles today are willing to risk their lives for their country. In 2023, that figure stood at 27%.
Society is split in half: 47% of respondents reject direct participation in combat operations. At the same time, 44% still say they are ready to defend the country with weapons.
The situation is particularly concerning among young people. Citizens aged 18 to 29 are the least willing to fight, with only 18% expressing readiness to do so.
The highest level of patriotism is shown by the older generation. People aged 40–59 are most willing to defend the country, with the figure reaching 56%.
What Poles know about security
Poles appear unprepared for a real crisis. A large share of respondents lack basic safety knowledge. As many as 81.8% do not know the location of the nearest shelter, representing a major weakness in the civil defense system. People simply do not know where to go during an attack.
Willingness to accept material sacrifices has fallen from 46% to 36%, while the share of those unwilling to make any sacrifices has risen from 14% to 30%. Only 36% of Poles plan to undergo specialized civil defense training.
The authors of the report note a dangerous paradox: around 67% of Poles say they want to support civil defense efforts. However, they are not seeking to acquire practical skills, meaning moral support is not backed by real preparedness.
What else is known about Poland's defense readiness
It was previously reported that London and Warsaw are preparing to sign a new security agreement. The deal envisages expanded military cooperation, the development of air defense systems, and joint efforts to counter cyberattacks.
Also in recent days, military forces from Lithuania, Poland, and France have been conducting joint exercises Gallant Boar 2026 near the Suwałki Corridor. During the drills, allies are carrying out joint military operations and strengthening interoperability.
