Poland is deploying up to 5,000 additional soldiers to its western border with Germany and Lithuania to combat illegal migration, according to defense minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz. The move comes as part of Operation Secure West, which includes 500 Territorial Defense Forces, 200 military police, and 800 border guards. Poland has accused Germany of sending asylum seekers across its border, leading to increased border checks and local citizen patrols.
Officials have announced the deployment of 700 troops to the western border, with plans to send up to 5,000 more guards to stop illegal migrant flows from Germany and Lithuania. The defense minister emphasized the military’s role in the security effort, stating, “We are strengthening security – decisively responding to migration threats.” Last week, the Polish government announced the reintroduction of border checks to maintain controls through at least August 5.
Poland has accused Germany, which imposed similar controls in late 2023, of sending asylum seekers back across its border. Local Polish community groups have responded with so-called “citizen patrols” to prevent eastbound migrant movement, adding political pressure on the government to act. With 65 checkpoints now active—some working around the clock—officials say the mission is labor-intensive and requires additional personnel through what the military calls Operation Secure West.
A further 300 civilian police officers have also been assigned to support the effort. According to Polska Zbrojna, the official magazine of the Defense Ministry, the deployment includes 500 troops from the Territorial Defense Forces and 200 military police officers, assisting roughly 800 Border Guard personnel. The increased border security measures reflect heightened concerns over illegal migration in the region.
Already on Monday morning, an Estonian national was caught trying to smuggle four people attempting to enter the country from Lithuania. Migration continues to be a politically charged topic in Germany, where the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has gained support by criticizing the government’s handling of the issue. Poland and other Eastern European nations have accused Berlin of using its influence within the European Union to push pro-migrant policies through Brussels.
Poland, Germany, and Lithuania are all members of the Schengen area, a border-free travel zone that has come under strain since a spike in migration in 2015. Under Schengen rules, temporary border checks can be reinstated during emergencies.