Fight or flight: how Poland is preparing for war

"I think that our country, like other European countries, is ready for war. This situation is constantly under the control of the military, and if something happens, we will know. And we should not react to provocations in the style of 'something will happen, be afraid'," Suwalki resident Hanna told Euroradio.

It was here, according to a Bild insider published earlier this year, that Russia's attack on Poland was to begin. The article was based on secret documents from the German Ministry of Defense. It said that in December 2024 there would be an "artificially created border conflict" and "riots with numerous victims." Russia would then effectively "repeat the 2014 invasion of eastern Ukraine on NATO territory.

Immediately after the article was published, Euroradio traveled to Suwalki to find out how the town and its residents perceived the German tabloid's prediction. Now we have visited Suwalki again - it is December 2024. Are the town's residents and authorities prepared for provocation?

"The threats are as constant as ever"

Hanna has lived in Suwalki for five years. She studies music, works as an English teacher, and raises two daughters.

A year ago, the news about the "Kremlin's plan" caused fear in the girl, but she says she tries not to "feed" this fear.

"I prefer to do something real - create new songs with the band or somehow influence the present. If something happens, as a normal Anya I have no influence on military and political actions. All I can do is either fight or run away," says Hanna. 

It would seem that February's revelations about a possible attack should have triggered a wave of migration from Suwalki. But no, the opposite is happening - people are coming and investment is coming. Anna notes that the news alert has not affected the influx of tourists to the region, although local entrepreneurs are confused by the constant escalation of the situation.

But that was relevant in the summer, and now it's December. There are not many people on the streets of Suwalki, it gets dark in the city after 3 p.m., but then the Christmas lights come on.

"I feel the threat from the east - from Russia and Belarus. But we live and work here normally," reassures Jacek Niedzwedski, a Sejm member from Suwalki, when asked what has changed in the town over the past year.

According to Paulina Siegień, a journalist and expert on Eastern Europe, the topic of the attack on the Suwalki corridor has been appearing regularly in the Polish media for years:
 

"The media do what they think they have to do, also in a commercial sense. But the most important thing is that the Polish authorities perceive the threat from Russia as permanent. And, of course, they are prepared for this situation".

Paulina emphasizes that it is in Poland, not only since 2022, but also earlier, understood the risks associated with Russia's aggressive policy - both toward Ukraine and NATO countries.

What the Polish authorities do

Suwalki residents are divided when it comes to preparing citizens for possible attacks. Some go to town meetings where they are told what to do in case of military provocations, while others have never heard of them. 

On December 5, the Polish Sejm passed a law on public protection and civil defense.

"It specifies what the army, the fire brigade, local authorities should do, where people should evacuate to. It's a complete set of measures. We forgot about it because we lived in a calm time. In the 90s there were no threats, but the war in Ukraine showed that you have to think about security," says Jacek Niedzwedski.

At the same time, Poland is actively working on the image of the army and attracting citizens. Niedzwedski notes that both men and women are now being actively recruited.

According to Paulina Siegień, the Polish authorities realize that a large and effective army cannot be built on "pure patriotism.

"Poles have this spirit, and I am not particularly worried about a possible military situation, which I hope will not happen. Poles will defend themselves actively and effectively. Besides, the state invests a lot in making military service an attractive career. The army is well funded. Soldiers can count on many privileges not available to other services, such as the police" (according to various estimates, Poland lacks about 13 thousand police officers. - Ed.).

Our interviewee Hanna also noticed the demand for joining the reserve or undergoing initial training.

"We need to strengthen ourselves - a strong army, modern weapons. We don't want to attack, we want to be able to defend ourselves in a conflict. That's why we are buying new tanks and helicopters. It is important that we do this not only within NATO, but also within the EU," says Jacek Niedzwiedski. - It is necessary to realize this and not to be intimidated. A strong army within the EU structures is the most important thing for our defense.

And how do the city's residents themselves perceive the Kremlin's threats and possible attack?

"I think Putin wouldn't risk it, but this is not a normal person. We certainly wouldn't want that. Everybody wants to live in peace, but as they say, peace doesn't last forever. If we have to flee - we will flee, if we have to fight - we will fight," says the interlocutor of Euroradio.

"We all live with the possibility of war - not only in the region, but in the whole of Poland, because threats come from all sides," says a resident of Suwalki.

"In order to work calmly, you have to deal with it calmly. Just calm. And what will happen? It is hard to say," replied another passer-by.

Produced with the support of Mediaset