Reinforcements of 5,000 soldiers deployed for border control duties in Poland
Starting July 7, 2025, Poland will temporarily reinforce border controls with Germany and Lithuania in response to a growing threat of illegal migration across its eastern borders into the European Union. This decision follows Germany’s own reintroduction of border controls with Poland since October 2023, aimed at curbing irregular migration and smuggling.
The Polish government, led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, announced these measures as a necessary response to growing security risks in border regions and to complement Germany's earlier actions. While the borders will remain officially open, random passport checks will be conducted at all border crossing points—road, rail, and air—with increased surveillance in border towns.
Regarding the involvement of the Polish army, border security will be enhanced through a joint effort involving Polish special services, border guards, the military, and the gendarmerie. The military's role includes supporting surveillance and control operations to manage the movement of people and prevent uncontrolled crossings. Soldiers participating in border control will primarily come from volunteer territorial defense units and the military police. Some soldiers will handle tasks related to leadership, logistics, training, and general security operations.
The Polish air force will monitor border areas using drones. Meanwhile, the border control operation is a joint effort with Lithuania. For years, Poland has been assisting border guards at the Belarus border with a high fence and surveillance systems. Recently, the Polish army has been equipping border guards with advanced surveillance systems to deter irregular migration into the EU.
The German government, under Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), ordered intensified border controls following the new German government's inauguration in May. The border control operation is planned and announced by the Polish army's general staff. The location of the border control operation is along the border with Germany and Lithuania.
This move is part of broader European efforts, with countries like France, Austria, Netherlands, and Denmark also conducting heightened border checks. The Polish government emphasizes the need for enhanced security, while some commentators suggest political motives tied to domestic considerations. In essence, the intensified border controls and military involvement underline Poland’s commitment to securing its external EU borders against irregular migration, maintaining order, and coordinating with German measures already in place.
- The Polish government, led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, has announced that soldiers from volunteer territorial defense units and the military police will handle tasks related to border control, with the Polish air force using drones for aerial surveillance, as part of a broader European response to the growing threat of illegal migration.
- In response to the intensified border control operation led by the Polish army, some commentators have suggested political motives tied to domestic considerations, with the general aim being to secure Poland's external EU borders against irregular migration, maintain order, and coordinate with Germany's measures already in place.
