Poland prepares for possible Russian aggression as public training expands

Ordinary Poles brace for conflict as Poland ramps up defense measures

Military drills, bomb shelters, and new alliances reflect rising fear of Russian aggression

On a military training ground near Wroclaw, Polish civilians are being handed rifles and taught how to defend themselves. From teenagers to the elderly, many are taking part in the government-backed “Train with the Army” initiative—an intensive program that offers shooting practice, hand-to-hand combat techniques, gas mask drills, and emergency medical training.

“The times are dangerous now, we need to be ready,” says Captain Adam Sielicki, the program’s coordinator. “We face a military threat from Russia, and we’re preparing for this.”

Interest in the program is surging. The Polish government plans to expand it to eventually provide basic military training to every adult male citizen. Poland, which borders both Russia and Ukraine, is set to allocate nearly 5% of its GDP to defense this year—the highest percentage in NATO.

A rapid military build-up and shift in alliances

Poland is aggressively modernizing its armed forces. Prime Minister Donald Tusk recently declared Warsaw’s goal to build “the strongest army in the region.” The country is purchasing advanced equipment from allies including the United States, Sweden, and South Korea, acquiring planes, missile systems, and naval vessels.

Currently, Poland's military consists of about 216,000 service members. Government officials aim to expand this force to 500,000, including reservists—positioning it as NATO’s second-largest military, after the United States.

Yet public opinion remains divided. While many, like Wroclaw resident Dariusz, vow to volunteer if war breaks out, others express reluctance. “We must be prepared to defend ourselves on our own,” Dariusz says. “Today alliances exist; tomorrow, they may be broken.”

Uncertainty surrounding U.S. commitment

Recent developments in U.S. foreign policy have further intensified Poland’s anxieties. Donald Trump's critical remarks about NATO and friendly posture toward Russian President Vladimir Putin have caused unease in Warsaw. Concerns grew after the U.S. announced the redeployment of troops from a key military base in Rzeszow, Poland, although Washington insists the forces will remain within Polish borders.

Statements by U.S. officials suggesting a reevaluation of long-term troop commitments in Europe have compounded fears. “That’s why we feel even less safe,” says Agata, a civilian trainee. “If we’re not prepared and Russia attacks us, we’ll simply become their prisoners.”

In response, Warsaw is looking beyond Washington. Poland is set to finalize a defense agreement with France and is in discussions with the UK for another bilateral security pact. Talks of being included under France’s nuclear umbrella signal a major strategic pivot in European defense planning.

History as a guide—and a warning

For many Poles, the sense of urgency is deeply rooted in history. At a care home in Warsaw, 98-year-old Wanda Traczyk-Stawska recalls the Soviet invasion of 1939 and the decades of Russian-backed authoritarian rule that followed. A veteran of the Warsaw Uprising, she supports the current military build-up unequivocally.

“Russia has this aggression written into its history,” she says. “Better to be well-armed than to wait for something to happen.”

The memory of past invasions, and the brutal lessons of 20th-century geopolitics, are helping shape Poland’s defense doctrine. Tomasz Szatkowski, Poland’s permanent representative to NATO, says the government’s rapid mobilization is driven by “the geopolitical situation, but also, the experience of history.”

Shelters and survivalism

Civilian fears are not confined to drills and training grounds. In southern Poland, private companies are experiencing a surge in demand for bomb shelters. ShelterPro, a leading manufacturer, reports receiving dozens of weekly inquiries, compared to just a handful before.

“These shelters are designed primarily to protect against a nuclear bomb, but also armed attacks,” explains company founder Janusz Janczy. “My clients fear Russia—and they’re not sure NATO will protect us.”

One of ShelterPro’s steel bunkers features bunk beds, ventilation systems, and basic sanitary equipment. The rising popularity of such installations reflects widespread anxiety over a potential invasion scenario.

The public’s mixed response

Despite visible signs of preparation and heightened military investment, many Poles remain hesitant about personal involvement in defense. A recent national poll found that only 10.7% of adults would volunteer for the army in case of war, while one-third said they would attempt to flee the country.

“I think I’d run,” admits Marcel, a medical student in Wroclaw. “The war feels close, but also far.” His classmate Szymon adds: “I just don’t see anything worth dying for here.”

The contrast between political leadership, historical memory, and public readiness presents a complex picture. While Poland is strengthening its deterrent capabilities and seeking new alliances, the question of national unity and willpower remains open.

Stay tuned to The Horizons Times for continued coverage of Europe’s evolving security landscape and the growing tensions on NATO’s eastern flank.