Let us fight wisely

Speaking of Russian politics, you mean aggression against Ukraine. Is that right?

Yeah, but it's besides about actions aimed straight at Poland. Let's look at the Russian modus operandi. It is based on what is known as the so-called. The Gierasimov concept, which provides for 4 phases of confrontation: conflict building, escalation, conclusive action and yet resolving the conflict by facts accomplished. Now in our relations with the Russian Federation we are somewhere between the first and second stages. If we want to avoid the 3rd – hard kinetic confrontation that has become part of Ukraine – we must be prepared accordingly. After all, it is better to be wise before harm than after harm.

In social perception, TW is an engineering dam on the east border. The barrier that the Russians can't stop...

This is only part of the truth, for various reasons most visible and commented upon. And we invest in recon systems, communications, logistics, RBMR system (defense against weapons of mass destruction), drone and drone systems, wellness protection, but besides into fortifications and another elements of military infrastructure. We're going to be preparing and flexing our muscles, due to the fact that that's the thing about deterrence. We have no choice, and we cannot let our territory to be occupied, due to the fact that as the Russian business looks, we already know from Ukraine.

We're putting barrels at the border...

If we want to guarantee the integrity of the territory of the Republic, we must be prepared to start a fight at the border, in direct contact.

Gen. defends Stanisław Czosnek, Deputy Head of the General Staff of the HR.

Is there any exchange of cognition between us and the Ukrainians? They're consulting our ideas on TW?

As part of the EU Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM) 11th Armoured Cavalry Division organizes training for Ukrainian Army. So far they have included about 30,000 Ukrainians. Importantly, the training programme is regularly consulted and changed for further experiences from the war. Our instructors so have access to the latest data, and the 11th Division becomes a mine of cognition from tactics, techniques and procedures utilized by both the Russian and Ukrainian army.

Another case. At the moment, there is no briefing or training for which officers or Ukrainian soldiers would not be invited. We besides scope for the experiences of our citizens. We've been here lately. combat medicsThe experience we want to implement in training our troops. Either way, these accounts change the image of war, disagree from academic considerations, are different from what we have in doctrinal documents, both Natian and our own. Therefore, both the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces and the Centre for Doctrines and Training of the Armed Forces proceed to make fresh solutions. They besides address issues related to TW. But we're besides looking at what's going on. We draw conclusions from various events, for example from tragic accident in Lithuania. It's about drowning in the swamp of an American method safety car. This drama has shown us how we can usage the advantages of the site, complementing the military capabilities.

Speaking of abilities. Recently, the concept of the alleged "So-called" appeared in Lithuania. Prince Witold's line, along with the presumption that fortifications should be prepared on strategical episodes in peacetime. Lithuania is besides tiny to hazard not being able to build fortifications erstwhile tension begins to escalate rapidly. What about us?

Let's start with the fact that erstwhile we were preparing the engineering expansion, we stood up as invaders. Among another things, we have selected possible corridors for maneuvering and approaches. So we know what we want to block in 1 way or another, besides utilizing field objects. any of these objects have already been built. Another fewer twelve are being prepared for expansion.

We're talking about anti-tank dams?

Not only that, but for apparent reasons, we won't discuss details. However, I can say that it is besides about the appropriate preparation of the full road, specified as the alleged welling, which means preparing for the demolition of bridges or full road sections.

This fabrication works the another way around, I mean engineering work that will make it possible for us to decision in the area of defence operations. It is about building and expanding roads – provincial, region and municipal – to a standard that allows the usage of dense equipment that the armed forces have. I'm talking about, for example, Abramsach, K2 is Leopardachweighing 60-70 t.

In the east of Poland the limited burden capacity of bridges is simply a serious problem.

Exactly. And this is not just a problem of the Polish Army, which I stress to point out that our assumptions must and are integrated into the plans of the North Atlantic Alliance.

Do these plans besides foresee the construction of shelters, bunkers, shooting stations?

Of course, all firewall only makes sense erstwhile it's defended.

Recently, there was a announcement to acquisition additional Hesco-bastion systems, which we know from abroad missions of the Polish Army. Will we besides usage more conventional solutions to build positions made of reinforced concrete?

We're reaching for different patents. For example, last year we bought kits Ultimate Building device (UBM), 2 divisions are finishing training on them. UBM is simply a comprehensive, portable, power-operated engineering device strategy and another specialized tools, utilized to build hide. This makes the full modules in a fewer days, with costs 60% lower than conventional buildings.

Returning to Ukrainian experiences – they clearly show that mines are an crucial component of all fortification.

We are building TW, based on the current legal state, and this imposes certain restrictions. As far as anti-tank mines are concerned, we will usage them wherever we consider it appropriate. As regards anti-personnel mines, Poland ratified the Ottawa Convention in 2012. Our country, alongside Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Finland, will most likely say this agreement, but as long as it is in force, there is no anticipation of utilizing anti-personnel mines in and in preparation for combat activities.

So we're not burying anything, we're acting reactively, depending on the global situation?

We know that we request mines for war, but the conditions of peace time do not let them to be placed. However, we stick to the doctrine of action “against harm”, so we have mines gathered in warehouses and, if necessary, we will spread them quickly.

Let's go back to the already signalled field value issue – we agreed that TW would usage them.

The tank may pass through the bog, but it will go as far as the fuel tanker can follow. So we gotta separate these 2 elements. We know the characteristics of east equipment, we know what its traction capabilities are, and we're going to take advantage of that. At the same time, we don't want to interfere besides much with the environment. We have engineering equipment that allows us to prepare the area very rapidly for combat. If we find it necessary, we will.

If necessary, we will besides search another solutions. No 1 needs to be explained the geographical characteristics of Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship. And we know where to turn the tap to spill water all over the region and to effectively make the enemy miserable.

TW is simply a holistic concept, covering many areas related to the preparation and conduct of defence operations. This requires, for example, adequate medical facilities.

We don't want to buy fresh hospitals, we don't have time or money. But we'll build and adjust landing bays and access roads to the facilities as required for dense military equipment. We will besides prepare additional operating rooms or yet train the personnel of these hospitals in field medicine.

Ukrainian experience shows that Russians attack hospitals without scruples. The extra rooms will be underground?

We are not Russia, we respect humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions. But we consider that the red cross on the roof of the infirmary will not be honored. The above mentioned UMB systems They can besides be utilized to build objects below the surface of the earth. We want to test this during the September exercises "Iron Defender".

Will the TW fortifications end at the interface between Poland, Belarus and Ukraine? The past of wars shows that their bypass is an effective way of overcoming fortifications.

We have an 850 km limit, from the royal circuit to the Injections. And this full frontier will be prepared to carry out defensive actions. That doesn't mean we're blocking. slide connecting us to the Baltic countries, and we will not be separated from Ukraine. However, at the time of the emergence of voltage precisely the same safeguards will appear along the full north-eastern border of Poland, besides on the Polish-Ukrainian section. You will not see in these developed areas elements of fortification expansion, but you will see, for example, collected, prepared to set up a prefabricate. At the same time, 1 should be aware that TW is not just a border zone, but an area to the Vistula line. There is simply a request to build additional axes of crossing through large water obstacles, besides through the Vistula River. We must be ready to guarantee the mobility of ourselves and allied troops operating within the alleged regional plans.

Do you gotta build fresh bridges?

Rather, prepare theheads in selected locations so that, if essential from the method and formal side, there is no problem with establishing a temporary crossing. That's the comfort we lacked in the last one. floods in Lower Silesia. The bomb squad could. set the bridge in a fewer twelve hoursBut it took weeks to do quite a few paperwork.

The end date of investments related to TW was set at 2028. Can you make it?

Given the state of the art, we're even a small ahead. We are doing what is essential under current legal and property conditions.

That's right. any areas are needed to build fortifications or warehouses, hence, among the inhabitants border on the fear that forced displacement and private property deprivation will occur.

Soon it'll be a year after the construction of the TW, and there was no specified case. In peacetime, we must have the consent of the owner if we gotta deprive him of his property to prepare 1 or another installations. The situation will change erstwhile the martial law needs to be implemented. However, we presently usage military areas in defence preparations, and those in the east of Poland are not missing. We besides usage land that is owned by the State Treasury, mainly plots where the proxy is the National Centre for Agriculture Support, or yet local areas.

Does the military have adequate money to finance everything planned under TW?

Yes, we have the means, starting with PLN 10 billion announced at the very beginning. Many another financial mechanisms have emerged since, but 2 of them are the most important. The first is Security and Defence Fund, which is part of the National Recovery Plan, from which double-use projects may be financed in the first place, implemented in cooperation with the non-military arrangement. The second programme is the EU safety Action for Europe. If strengthening the border with Russia is officially recognised as part of the Natovian plans, I would be very happy to do so, due to the fact that then we will besides be able to apply for backing from Alliance funds.

When should a decision be expected?

I can't pinpoint a circumstantial date. As far as the military is concerned, we did our job, we made it clear what we needed. Now this issue is in the hands of our negotiators in the EU and NATO.

Who will safe TW installations in peacetime? The formation of something like a fortress battalion?

Tasks in this substance take over territorial defence troops, which, in cooperation with the extra-military system, will be designed to keep defence installations in constant readiness for use. Within their structure they have already created so-called. Border protection component composed of 1 Podlasie OT Brigade, 4 Warmian-Masurian OT Brigade, 19 Nadbuzhian OT Brigade and 20 Przemysian OT Brigade. As the last 2 are in the process of creating, these tasks are carried out temporarily by the 2nd Lublin OT Brigade and 3rd Podkarpackie OT Brigade.

Where is the place for the operational troops?

They will be introduced to this area as part of an exercise or, God forbid, in a crisis situation.

Gen. defends Stanisław Garsnek He is the Deputy Chief of General Staff. He had previously been commander of the 11th Lubuska Division of Armored Cavalry, since 2020 as deputy commander-general of types of armed forces. In the period 2021–2024, commander of the Centre for Land Operations — Land Component Command. In service since 1986, erstwhile he began studying at the Higher School of Officers of the Mechanized Army in Wrocław. favourite motto: “Let us fight wisely, not hard”.