Thank you for showing courage, heroism, professionalism, courage and responsibility. Thank you with all my heart for serving the country," said president Andrzej Duda on Friday. The commander of the armed forces met with soldiers and officers of the Border defender and police serving on the Polish-Belarusian border.
The president's gathering with military and officers was held in Jarylówka close Bobrownik, Podlasie. Armed forces were accompanied by Paweł Bejda, Deputy Chief of MON and Czesław Mroczek, Deputy Minister of Interior and Administration. Andrzej Duda recalled that since 2021 attacks on Polish border inspired by Belarusian authorities continue. He expressed his gratitude for 4 years of service at the border and thanked the uniformed for his highly heroic defence not only of Poland's border, but besides of the European Union and the Schengen area.
– Thanks to this, we Poles have shown that we take our responsibilities in the community seriously," he said. The president pointed out that this service was not without casualties and He mentioned the sergeant. Matthew Sitku, who died at the border. He was the first soldier to fall in defence of our border since planet War II.
Andrzej Duda apologized to the soldiers and officers for all the sorrows they had suffered from any fellow countrymen. “I want to assure you that actual honor of the soldier cannot be tarnished if he is doing his tasks for Poland,” said the President. He added that “everyone honest in the Republic was with you and stood a wall behind the Polish uniform.”
– This is most likely my last presence here on the Polish-Belarusian border, in the area where you carry out this strenuous service during my presidential service. I thank you again with all my heart for all that you have done for the Republic at this time, and I ask for further heroic and liable service – president Andrzej Duda, who ends his word in August, addressed the soldiers and officers.
The Belarusian government has been moving a hybrid operation on our east border for a long time. To prevent it, the Polish authorities decided to build on the border of a peculiar barrier. Polish Army leads Operation Safe Podlasieduring which the Border defender is supported by soldiers. Since the beginning of February, a half-year mission on the east border has been carried out by military from the 12th Mechanized Division. They are supported by, among others, the 11th Lubuska Division of Armored Cavalry, 19th Nadbuzhany Brigade of Territorial Defence. In total, about 5,000 soldiers service in border areas.
However, the army is not only active in protecting our east border. He will besides support the SG and police during border control with Germany and Lithuania. Temporary checks will be introduced from 7 July due to problems related to illegal migration.
As indicated present by the HR General Staff on platform X, the SG's activities will be aimed at a full of 5,000 military. Among them will be: soldiers straight active in SG operations at the border and at border points, as well as military carrying out tasks related to command, logistics, training and widely understood securing operations. “The actions will be mainly engaged by soldiers of the Territorial Defence Army, the Military Police and the Air Force, the second in reconnaissance and reflection projects with the usage of pilotless aircraft,” wrote SGWP.
For 2 weeks now, military police have been conducting preventive action on the western border. Soldiers and SG officers patrol border areas, control cars and verify the legality of abroad residence in Poland.
