Poland’s Civilian Military Training Surges After NATO Downs Russian Drones, Fueling Defense Readiness

BRANIEWO, Poland – Just six kilometers from the Russian border, office administrator Agnieszka Jedruszak is digging a trench, a stark reflection of the escalating fears gripping Poland. Her actions are part of a massive surge in voluntary military training across the nation, intensified this week after Poland, a NATO member, downed Russian drones in its airspace – the first known instance of a NATO ally firing shots during Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Jedruszak, like over 20,000 Poles who have signed up for voluntary military training in the first seven months of 2025, is driven by a profound desire to protect her family. “I’d do anything to keep my child safe. And I would definitely want to fight to protect him,” she stated, embodying the widespread concern over Russia’s military aggression that has seen public engagement more than double since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Colonel Grzegorz Wawrzynkiewicz, head of Poland’s Central Military Recruitment Centre, anticipates around 40,000 volunteers will complete training by year-end.

This civilian mobilization is complemented by significant government action. Poland has dramatically increased its defense spending to 4.7% of GDP this year, the highest ratio among the 32-nation NATO alliance. With 216,000 personnel, Poland now boasts the third-largest military in NATO. The nation has also implemented a 400-mile-long “East Shield” fortification along its borders with Belarus and Kaliningrad and is relocating military units eastward to bolster defenses and tap into local recruitment pools.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government, acutely aware of the historical shadow of Moscow’s domination, is at the forefront of urging greater European responsibility for defense, especially amid renewed doubts over U.S. security commitments to NATO. Experts note that Eastern European nations, with their direct memory of Russian occupation, exhibit a stronger willingness to enlist and fight. “They are more willing to fight because they can’t just run away,” commented Gustav Gressel, a researcher at the National Defence Academy in Vienna.

While the voluntary training offers flexibility, allowing participants to join professional service, Territorial Defence Forces, or remain in reserve, officials stress the critical importance of trained personnel. “When there’s a war or some kind of near-war threat, it’s the most basic things that count: that’s fuel, ammunition and people,” said Deputy Defence Minister Cezary Tomczyk. Looking ahead, Tusk announced a new program aiming to train 100,000 volunteers by 2027, as Poland prepares for the evolving security landscape and the potential future threats posed by Russia.

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