Anti-tank ditch, barbed wire and trenches: Poland shows the Shield of the East defence line on the border with Russia and Belarus

On 27 May, the Polish General Staff hosted a presentation of the Tarcza Wschód project, or "Shield of the East", which is a defence line along the border with Russia and Belarus.

Here's What We Know

The project was presented by the country's Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and Chief of the General Staff Wiesław Kukula, which means that it can only mean that it is an action plan, not a concept.

Poland will start implementing the plans this year. Moreover, the authorities immediately explained that the project is not a repetition of the Maginot Line or the Mannerheim Line. However, a photo from Defense24 shows a whole system of engineering barriers.

"Shield of the East" involves the construction of a number of defence lines, ranging from standard obstacles such as barbed wire to modern drone countermeasures. Much attention is paid not only to military aspects, but also to the safety of local residents, which demonstrates a comprehensive approach to defence.

In fact, Poland has already built a unit, as it is still fighting against the invasion of illegal migrants who, with the assistance of Belarusian border guards, are trying to break through the border.

The photo also shows an anti-tank ditch, behind which the first line of anti-tank barriers is located. This includes the ones that are installed next to the road and are supposed to collapse on it if necessary. Later, there are mines and another line of anti-tank obstacles and a line of trenches and infantry fortifications. All this is 100-200 metres deep. It is worth noting that this is only the first line of defence.

Source: Defence24