Poland launches new Component of Border Defense to bolster eastern frontier

Poland's Minister of National Defence announced the creation of a new Component of Border Defense (Komponent Obrony Pogranicza, KOP) to strengthen security on the country's eastern border. The formation will be part of the Territorial Defence Forces and will comprise four brigades – the Podlaska, Warmińsko‑Mazurska, Nadbużańska and Przemyska – positioned along the frontier.

The initiative follows the "Shield East" programme, which earmarks 10 billion złoty for border reinforcement, and is intended to reduce illegal border crossings and relieve other units engaged in the "Safe Podlasie" operation. The KOP will cooperate with the Border Guard and take on greater responsibilities for border protection. Details and commander appointments are to be announced at a ceremony in the Ministry of Defence on Wednesday.

Minister Władysław Kosiniak‑Kamysz said, "Tak jak przed laty Polska tworzyła Korpus Ochrony Pogranicza, dziś powołujemy Komponent Obrony Pogranicza," adding that it is "kolejny etap wzmacniania wschodniej granicy".