In defence of the Polish border
12.11.2021
"The Border Guard, which coordinates all these activities, but is supported by soldiers of the Polish Army and Polish Police officers, is primarily responsible for security on our border. The command of the 16th Mechanized Division is responsible for the northern part of the Polish-Belarusian border, hence the actions of the Polish Army soldiers are coordinated. Soldiers from the remaining divisions (from the 12th and 11th Divisions) also serve in subordinating the commander of the 16th Division. The southern part of the border is supported by soldiers from the 18th Mechanized Division. The soldiers of the Polish Army conduct their difficult service on the border on a daily basis " - said Mariusz Błaszczak, the minister of national defence, during a meeting with soldiers of the Polish Army involved in border protection.
On Friday, November the 12th, in Olsztyn, Andrzej Duda, the President of the Republic of Poland, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland and Mariusz Błaszczak, the Minister of National Defence met with the command and soldiers of the 16th Mechanized Division as well as with officers of other services serving on the Polish-Belarusian border.
The head of the Ministry of National Defence got acquainted with the organization and functioning of the command post of the 16th Mechanized Division and, together with the president, participated in a briefing regarding the situation on the Polish-Belarusian border.
"We also talked about how to support the officers and soldiers in terms of equipment, in terms of service conditions. We are perfectly aware that winter is approaching, and therefore the conditions will be more difficult. It is my responsibility as the minister of national defence to ensure the best conditions of service. Polish soldiers are characterized by high morale. It is the duty of the Polish state to ensure that the conditions of service are as dignified as possible "- said the minister.
The soldiers of the 16th Mechanized Division were the first to support Border Guard officers in protecting the Polish-Belarusian border. Currently, four divisions of the Polish Army cooperate with the Border Guard in securing the Polish-Belarusian border in regarding to the ongoing migration crisis.
"I am very grateful to the soldiers, Border Guard and Police officers for their bravery. For leaving their homes for weeks to ensure the safety of all of us. I am very grateful to the soldiers for leaving their homes, often for weeks after to perform this service at the border, to ensure the safety of all of us and to ensure the fulfillment of our obligations resulting from membership in the European Union " - underlined the president.
The head of the Ministry of National Defence recalled that the situation at the border is difficult and is against the security of European Union countries.
"The situation on the border is tense, we are still dealing with hybrid attacks. They take place all the time. Migrants are used by the Lukashenka regime to attack Poland, and therefore also attack the European Union, because we all know perfectly well that the Polish border is also the border of the European Union " - added the minister.
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Almost 15,000 soldiers help Border Guard officers at the border. This number may be increased at any time. In addition, the soldiers have so far built over 180 km of temporary fencing, which effectively hinders attempts to force the border illegally.
