For the vast majority of Poles, Moscow is a “major” threat. As the Europeans approach, franceinfo went to meet civilians training with the army, to understand their expectations in terms of European defense.
Between the trees, in the mud and sand, the group of Poles must run and get on the ground as quickly as possible. In the distance, shots pierce the silence. Near Warsaw, these civilians are completing training with the Territorial Defense Forces (FDT). This Friday in April is their exam day. “Imagine this is a real situation, spear the soldier who leads them. You must be extremely determined and save your life.”
Like them, thousands of Poles are approaching this branch of the armed forces, worried since Russia shelled Ukraine. In Eastern Europe’s largest country, 94% see Moscow as a threat “major”, according to a Pew Research Center survey . On alert, Warsaw is strengthening its equipment and military personnel. In 2022, the former government announced that it wanted to reach 300,000 soldiers by 2035 and build “the most powerful land forces in Europe”. As the European elections approach, civilians and soldiers met by franceinfo call for strengthening the defense of the Old Continent urgently.
On this day of testing, fatigue can be seen on faces. “People made a mistake. You have to listen to what they tell you,” sum an examiner. Among the candidates, Rafal Zdrodowski, 46 years old. Evaluated since 5 a.m., this building professional takes a break before the next step. He hopes to continue training and become more involved with the Territorial Defense Forces. This branch, with more than 40,000 men, is made up of professional soldiers and civilian volunteers. “My skills [dans la construction] can be useful. If they need me on the front lines, I’ll be there too.” promises the Pole, blue eyes highlighted by a layer of camouflage paint on his face.
For this father, the decision came after an exchange with his son. At 15, “he asked me why I didn’t join the army. I made that choice to give him a good paternal example, he relates. I want to raise it patriotically in the face of the current threat from Russia.” Rafal Zdrodowski is convinced: Moscow poses a risk “very direct” for his country, neighboring Ukraine for more than 500 km, and for Europe. “Russia could go further and further”, insists the Pole.
“If the Russians arrive here, we must be ready to fight in five minutes. (…) We will have to defend Poland, but also Europe.”
Rafal Zdrodowski, training with the Territorial Defense Forcesat franceinfo
His fears are not unfounded. Several indications show that Russia “is preparing for a large-scale conventional conflict with NATO”, in the opinion of the American think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW). The Atlantic Alliance “prepared” to a war with Moscow, “if [la Russie] attacks us”, warned the chairman of his military committee, Rob Bauer. Is Europe ready? “We lost a lot of time. Europe, NATO, we need to train and coordinate between countries,” argues Rafal Zdrodowski. The military apprentice welcomes Polish efforts and Operation Dragon 24, a recent NATO exercise involving several states. According to him, we must go further. Training like his “should be followed by the majority of the population”.
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Przemyslaw Luszczki, spokesperson for the brigade, carefully follows the movements of his students on the vast field which hosts the exam. In his eyes, February 24, 2022 marked a turning point. “Before the war, we always had to wait for places to be filled,” he relates. Now, the next five training sessions are complete, says the soldier. “Volunteers have to wait almost a year and a half to start.”
“People have seen Boutcha, Bakhmut. We don’t need to convince them that Russia is a real threat. They come here already thinking that.”
Przemyslaw Luszczki, Territorial Defense Forcesat franceinfo
Heavier and closer shots are heard. A group faces an attack in hostile terrain conditions, and must fight back. These army novices responded in turn with shots, before burying themselves between the trees. Among them, Ewa*. The Polish girl came here “learn new skills, see what [‘elle] could [t] TO DO”. Russia is also “one of the reasons” which motivated its registration. “Now I am more aware of the threat. We are all very worried, we want to defend our families and our homeland.”
Ewa hopes that the Poles will be able to protect themselves. His hope is tinged with uncertainty when it comes to the EU and NATO. “I have no knowledge of their preparation for war. (…) Are they ready? I hope so.” The subject will affect his vote during the European elections on June 9. His vote will go to the candidates “who truly focus on our common values and who will not hesitate to oppose military aggression on the EU’s borders.”
Pawel Miernik, who observes the group’s shooting, is a member of the Territorial Defense Forces since 2017. “Send troops here, we will train them!” he smiled, looking mischievous. Behind the wink, the trainer takes a more serious look at the defense of Europe. “It’s hard to say whether NATO as a whole is ready. The United States, perhaps, but Western Europe? I’m not so sure.” Pawel Miernik underlines an opinion shared by other Poles: the fact that American military support is vital. “Without the United States, Europe cannot defend itself,” alerted Polish diplomacy in 2022. Washington dedicates a little more than 3% of its gross domestic product (GDP) to its defense, according to NATO . Within the Atlantic Alliance, only Warsaw is doing slightly better. In France, military spending will represent 2% of GDP this year.
For Pawel Miernik, we must increase the military presence along the eastern flank of Europe. And above all, produce. Produce to further support Ukraine, and to strengthen our arsenal. In March, Brussels committed to releasing 500 million euros to achieve production of two million artillery shells per year by the end of next year. However, the EU has fallen behind after its promise to send a million shells to kyiv in one year, before April 2024. Production capacities are improving (from 20 to 30% in less than a year), but obstacles remain. “ The European defense industry is not yet up to the challenge it faces, even if many things have been done”, recently pointed out Gesine Weber, from the German Marshall Fund of the United States think tank, to franceinfo.
“We should have large-scale production of munitions in Europe. Is that the case? I’m not sure.”
Pawel Miernik, Territorial Defense Forcesat franceinfo
Examination of civilians continues, between clearings and pouring rain. Przemyslaw Luszczki joins his brigade around a fire. He also calls for supporting Ukraine, as quickly and as much as possible. As for Europe, “we are on the right track, but we must accelerate”, supports the master corporal. The continent, in his opinion, has become too demilitarized after decades of peace: “We need to reverse this.” Develop human and material resources, “All”. Przemyslaw Luszczki calls for his wishes a “war economy” for defense like Emmanuel Macron or the European Commissioner for the Internal Market, Thierry Breton. “Mentally, Europe is not prepared for war. Poland’s role is to wake up the rest of the continent.”
The evaluation is coming to an end. Students, weighed down with ammunition, must crawl 20 meters in record time. “I feel safer after this training”, slips Malgorzata Skuza, thirty-year-old from Warsaw. For her, war is a personal subject. The Polish woman counts a Ukrainian among her friends, and is keen to defend her country. “I wanted to prepare myself, not to be helpless in case of danger.” Living not far from a conflict puts her on alert. “Some European countries think it’s just Ukraine, that they are not threatened. We are closer.” At his side, Bartlomiej Goral is in turn finalizing his training. It is not “not a supporter of the European Union”but expects its members to invest more in defense. “As the saying goes, if you want peace, prepare for war,” slips this 19 year old boy.
Come Sunday, these few dozen Poles meet for a solemn moment, in a park in Warsaw. Rafal, Ewa and the others take the oath in front of their families, with proud faces. The Polish flag is raised, the national anthem is sung. “You will devote yourself to the defense of our homeland and the support of civilians,” proclaims the head of the brigade, reading a message from the Ministry of Defense. “I hope we remain in peace, confides Ewa. I really hope that we are safe in Europe, and that nothing bad happens.”
*The first name has been changed at the request of the person concerned.
This report was produced with the help of Agnieszka Suszko, journalist in Poland, for preparation and translation.