The mission officially begins on August 1, alongside another operation named "Eastern Dawn."
"In every domain, in every space, unfortunately, there are attacks on the Polish state," Kosiniak-Kamysz said.
He thanked soldiers and officers for their service, emphasizing the role of the Border Guard in protecting the border, with the military providing support.
"Thanks to you, thanks to the soldiers of the Polish Army, we are safe. The Border Guard is responsible for protecting the border, and the military has an auxiliary role here. Three formations create one strong defense of the Republic," he stated.
The 18th Mechanized Division will lead the "Safe Podlasie" operation, which comes in response to increasing incidents at the border. "The last few months have been the hardest. May was a month when the border was continuously attacked, as shown by statistics, including instances of gunfire," he noted.
Kosiniak-Kamysz also commemorated Sergeant Mateusz Sitek, a soldier who was killed by a migrant at the border. "Sergeant Mateusz Sitek will remain in our memory as a role model. His name will be given to a border defense component."
The new operation will deploy up to 17,000 soldiers on the eastern border, replacing two previous missions focused on training and border protection. Kosiniak-Kamysz assured that additional forces and resources would be directed to the area if requested by the Ministry of the Interior and Administration and the Border Guard. Major General Arkadiusz Szkutnik has been appointed as the operation's commander.
Kosiniak-Kamysz described the current situation as "the largest hybrid war since the concept was created," citing attempts to cross the border, sabotage, and cyberattacks as recent challenges necessitating increased coordination for border security.
Simultaneously with "Safe Podlasie," the "Eastern Dawn" mission will enhance operational capabilities against threats to Poland's airspace, according to the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces.
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Source: IAR, PAP
