From Tuesday, September 23rd, to the first half of October 2025, drivers in almost all of Poland must prepare for major obstacles and increased traffic of military vehicles. The Armed Forces General Command (DGRSZ) issued an urgent message informing about the return of soldiers from key scare exercises "Iron Defender-25". This logistics operation, which includes the movement of military columns by most voivodships, requires civilian road users to take peculiar care and follow strict rules. Most importantly, DGRZ calls for absolute ban on publishing photos and recordings from crossings, which is critical for state safety in the current geopolitical situation.
When and Where to anticipate Military Columns?
Increased movement of military vehicles will proceed 23 September to the first half of October 2025. The speakers will travel through most of the Polish voivodships, utilizing motorways, expressways and national roads. This is straight related to the return of forces active in the Iron Defender-25 maneuvers from the areas of the field to places of permanent dislocation. These movements, although organised in specified a way as to affect the current civilian traffic as small as possible, are part of military training and require increased attention. General Command stresses that military columns will escorted and secured by the Military Gendarmery and the Polish Army's traffic control sub-units, in cooperation with the police and local authorities to guarantee maximum security.
Key Principles for Drivers: What Free and What Absolutely Not?
DGRSZ has issued clear guidelines for drivers to guarantee the fluidity and safety of road traffic during military column crossings. delight note that the column can number up to 20 vehicles, and the distance between the individual columns shall not be little than 500 metres. All military vehicles will decision with passing or driving lights on, improving their visibility. civilian drivers must strictly comply with the following principles:
- Overtaking of columns is permitted, however, the manoeuvre must be carried out in a smooth and continuous manner, with no road collapse or abrupt braking.
- Driving between vehicles forming a column is strictly prohibited. This is highly dangerous and can lead to serious accidents.
- You should special care and strictly follow the instructions of the persons protecting the crossing – Military Police, Traffic Regulatory Subdivisions and Police.
The columns numbering 6 and more vehicles will additionally be marked: the vehicle starting and ending the column will have an orange plate with a pictogram of 3 trucks. In addition, the first vehicle in the column will be marked with a blue flag and the last 1 will be green.
The Most crucial Prohibition: Why not take pictures and recordings?
In the interests of the safety of the Armed Forces of Poland and the State, Armed Forces General Command categorically urges failure to print any information on military crossings. This means an absolute ban on taking and sharing photos, video recordings, as well as the location, dates and hours of military column crossings. Similarly, it is prohibited to print data on aircraft departures and landings. This appeal is peculiarly crucial in the current geopolitical situation, characterised by increased provocations from Russia and intense actions of Russian intelligence. Any specified information, seemingly innocent, can be utilized by enemy services, posing a real threat to the safety of our soldiers and defence infrastructure.
"Iron Defender-25 exercise": Background and Meaning
"Iron Defender-25" is 1 of the largest and most crucial training projects of the Armed Forces of Poland This year. These defensive exercises were carried out until 26 September both on land and in airspace and in the Baltic Sea. There were about 30 1000 soldiers from all types of the Polish Armed Forces and NATO allies, with about 600 units of equipment involved. The main nonsubjective of these maneuvers was to jointly test the ability to deter possible aggressor and to effectively defend the territory of Poland. The return of troops from these strategical exercises is so a key phase in the country's defence preparations.
Summary: Safety and work on the Road
In the coming weeks, Polish roads will become an arena of increased military movement. This is not only an component of logistics after crucial exercises, but besides a test for work and civic awareness. Let's remember strict adherence to traffic rules in contact with military columns, in peculiar the prohibition of inter-vehicle driving and of compliance with service orders. Above all, in the face of external threats, Let us refrain from taking and publishing photos and recordings. Our national safety depends on the shared work and informed action of each driver.
Read more:
A minute OF Command. Military on the Road: You're banned, don't do it by the columns!
