Deputy Defense Chief Says Poland is in a 'State of Hybrid War'
Poland is now experiencing a "hybrid war" as tensions with Russia and Belarus escalate, according to a deputy defense minister. Read Full Article at RT.com
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Poland is currently experiencing what is effectively a "hybrid war," according to Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk, due to escalating tensions with Belarus and Russia. Speaking at a panel discussion focused on national security, Tomczyk articulated that Poland is wrestling with challenges that hover just below open conflict.
“What we are facing in Poland today is de facto hybrid warfare. And we can say directly that Poland is in a state of war today, but in a state of hybrid warfare,” he was quoted saying by PAP news agency.
Tomczyk highlighted ongoing issues at the Belarusian border and the repeated incidents of Russian weather balloons entering Polish airspace. For quite some time, Poland has accused Belarus of sending illegal migrants over the border as a form of pressure, a charge Belarus denies, countering with accusations of harsh treatment of migrants by Polish officials.
Recent months have also seen a series of Russian balloons drifting into Polish airspace. After investigations, Warsaw concluded these balloons did not represent a direct threat to national security.
In one notable instance in late June, Polish officials were informed by Russia about a balloon that had inadvertently drifted from Kaliningrad's airspace into Poland, where it remained for several hours. Poland chose not to shoot down the craft due to potential repercussions.
Tomczyk suggested that these balloon incidents are more than mere accidents but are instead used by Russia to further its political motives. “It is de facto a tool for a few hundred dollars, which can be used to influence all of us in a very simple way... It is enough to put a few words in Cyrillic on them, and all portals in Poland will write about it.”
Additionally, he indicated that cyberattacks, estimated at about 5,000 annually, are another element of this hybrid warfare aimed at inciting public discourse and eroding trust in the government.
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
“What we are facing in Poland today is de facto hybrid warfare. And we can say directly that Poland is in a state of war today, but in a state of hybrid warfare,” he was quoted saying by PAP news agency.
Tomczyk highlighted ongoing issues at the Belarusian border and the repeated incidents of Russian weather balloons entering Polish airspace. For quite some time, Poland has accused Belarus of sending illegal migrants over the border as a form of pressure, a charge Belarus denies, countering with accusations of harsh treatment of migrants by Polish officials.
Recent months have also seen a series of Russian balloons drifting into Polish airspace. After investigations, Warsaw concluded these balloons did not represent a direct threat to national security.
In one notable instance in late June, Polish officials were informed by Russia about a balloon that had inadvertently drifted from Kaliningrad's airspace into Poland, where it remained for several hours. Poland chose not to shoot down the craft due to potential repercussions.
Tomczyk suggested that these balloon incidents are more than mere accidents but are instead used by Russia to further its political motives. “It is de facto a tool for a few hundred dollars, which can be used to influence all of us in a very simple way... It is enough to put a few words in Cyrillic on them, and all portals in Poland will write about it.”
Additionally, he indicated that cyberattacks, estimated at about 5,000 annually, are another element of this hybrid warfare aimed at inciting public discourse and eroding trust in the government.
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
