Poland is strengthening its eastern border in response to hybrid threats from Russia. According to Polish military leadership, Russia uses illegal migration as a tool for pressure, pushing migrants towards the Polish border to then enter the Schengen Zone. Border service soldiers help identify individuals attempting to cross from Belarus. Regardless of the political party in power, Poland continues its policy of strict border control. In addition to the border fence, a new "Eastern Shield" is being constructed, including trenches and fortifications along the border with Belarus and the Kaliningrad region. This is to create a barrier against a potential war. New threats, such as drones and sabotage, have prompted Poland to rethink its national security concept. The government has increased the defense budget to 4.8% of GDP, one of the highest in NATO. Amid the heightened tensions, a new program has been launched to train 400,000 civilians to handle crisis situations. Many Polish citizens, especially the youth, are ready to defend their country in case of an attack. However, there are also critics in society who believe that the excessive focus on migrants as a threat is racist and not based on facts.
