As tensions between Russia and NATO-aligned countries rise, Poland is ramping up its defense efforts along its eastern border. But not everyone is welcoming the changes.
Farmers living near the border are growing increasingly concerned about how the government’s ambitious Eastern Shield project will affect their land and livelihoods.
The Eastern Shield, announced as a key strategic initiative, includes fortifications, logistical hubs, and surveillance systems along Poland’s 800-kilometer border with Russia and Belarus, according to WP.
Officials argue that these measures are essential to national security. However, residents in the region, especially farmers, feel blindsided. Many say they weren’t consulted and fear losing farmland to military infrastructure.
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Wioleta, a farmer in Braniewo, described her frustration. She noticed strangers driving across her fields without permission and learned they were surveying land for potential use.
“I have fields right on the border with Russia. I’ve been told a minefield might be built there. Should I invest in planting crops, or will they just take it away?” she said.
While government officials insist they will compensate affected landowners, local farmers remain skeptical. They also question whether the defenses will make a difference.
Some point to modern warfare tactics like drones and missile strikes, arguing that physical barriers are outdated. One farmer scoffed, saying, “Missiles will just fly over us. This isn’t the 20th century.”
Critics of the project include military experts. Retired General Leon Komornicki has said that the fortifications could be destroyed quickly in the event of an attack.
Meanwhile, others worry the project is being rushed at the expense of community trust.
Local authorities have tried to reassure residents. They say most of the construction will occur on state-owned land and that private property will only be used as a last resort. However, many farmers remain unconvinced.
