Budry (dpa) – German and Polish soldiers have joined forces to secure the border between Poland and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. Around 40 Bundeswehr soldiers have been deployed in the northeast of Poland since July. Together with the Polish army, they have dug an anti-tank ditch and erected tank barriers. The operation is scheduled to continue until the end of October.
The fortifications are intended to hamper any potential military advances and serve as a deterrent. “Let them see us – then they will know right away who they’re dealing with,” said Major General Tilo Maedler, referring to Russia.
The work is part of Poland’s East Shield project. By the end of 2026, Poland wants to additionally secure around 250 kilometres of its eastern and northern borders. Fortifications and electronic monitoring systems are planned. The EU is contributing funds via its SAFE defence programme.
Poland has a 232-kilometre-long border with Kaliningrad and a 418-kilometre-border with Belarus, a close ally of Russia. Nuclear-capable Iskander short-range missiles, among other things, are stationed in Kaliningrad.
The joint operation is also intended as a sign of alliance solidarity. “We are here to defend alliance territory,” said Germany’s Major Martin. Since Russian launched its attack on Ukraine, Germany has stepped up its military engagement on NATO’s eastern flank.
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