At a military training ground in Wroclaw, Poland, civilians eagerly join the "Train with the Army" initiative as anxiety over a possible Russian invasion intensifies. Under the guidance of a Polish soldier, participants—from young adults to parents with their children—learn essential self-defense skills including shooting, hand-to-hand combat, and first aid techniques.
Captain Adam Sielicki, who coordinates the program, explains, “The times are dangerous now, we need to be ready,” citing the looming military threat from Russia. The program's response has far exceeded expectations, prompting the Polish government to consider expanding it so that every adult male receives training. Poland is set to devote nearly 5% of its GDP to military spending—the highest in NATO—as it prepares for potential conflict.
In recent statements, Prime Minister Donald Tusk declared Poland's ambition to form “the strongest army in the region,” as the nation accelerates military procurements from allies such as the US, South Korea, and Sweden, including ships, planes, and artillery systems.
Attendees like Dariusz voiced their readiness to defend their homeland. “History has taught us that we must be prepared,” he stated. Similarly, Agata expressed her concerns about shifting political alliances, highlighting fears that the United States may not offer support in a crisis, particularly since the election of Donald Trump.
Szatkowski, Poland’s permanent representative to NATO, acknowledges this urgency, stressing the need for the nation to envisage its security options beyond their traditional ally, the United States. As discussions progress towards defense agreements with France and the UK, Poland’s military independence is taking precedence.
Wanda Traczyk-Stawska, a 98-year-old veteran who lived through Poland's last invasion in 1939, reflects on her past experiences. “It is better to be a well-armed country than to wait for something to happen,” she asserts. Echoing these sentiments, a local shelter constructor, Janusz Janczy, highlights a growing demand for bomb shelters, a reflection of public anxiety surrounding possible armed conflict.
Despite increased training, a poll revealed that only 10.7% of adults would volunteer for the army in times of war, with some suggesting they would flee instead. Student opinions also reveal a lack of readiness to defend the country, indicating a complex atmosphere of fear but also resignation amidst the threat of war as Poland confronts a painful historical legacy once more.
