Poland starts constructing Eastern shield on border with Belarus, Russia
- 4 November, 07:24
Poland has started construction of fortification on its border with Belarus and Russia as tensions are soaring amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Dubbed as the East Shield, the border fortification is a national defense initiative launched by Poland back in May 2024. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced the construction of East Shield on X social media platform on Thursday. "The first works are being carried out near the border with Russia,” Tusk said, while also posting images of the equipment working on the construction of the fortification.
Tusk first introduced the Eastern Shield in May, revealing that the government would invest $2.55 billion on this project. Back in May, Tusk explained that the reason for building the fortification along Belarus border was to “deter the enemy, so that all those who wish Poland ill, all those who plan an attack, an aggression against our allies or against our country.”
"Poland is strong, Poland will be safe thanks to its own actions and thanks to its own allies," the Prime Minister stressed.
The East Shield will also have a satellite component to ensure safety in space. The project is scheduled to be completed by 2028. The East Shield initiative comes amid the new wave of escalation in Ukraine as North Korea has deployed 10,000 troops to help Russia.
