“We are aware of the threats”: Poland deploys a new tank battalion near the border with Belarus

Poland deployed a tank battalion near the border with Belarus / Channel 24 Collage (Photo by the Polish Ministry of Defense)

The Polish Ministry of Defense spoke about the deployment of a new tank battalion near the border with Belarus. It will be armed with modern equipment – K2 tanks, Rak mortars, Poprad air defense systems.

The Polish army deployed the battalion in the village of Chartaev, Siemiatick district, Podlasie Voivodeship. There, a new tank battalion was created as part of the first infantry division.

What is known about the creation of a new battalion in Poland

On November 12, in the village of Chartaev, the head of the Ministry of Defense Mariusz Blaszczak took part in the opening of a new military unit and met with servicemen of the new 1st Infantry Division.

We are aware of the threats. We know very well that the Kremlin rulers started the war because they want to restore the Russian Empire. This has always been a threat to the peoples living in the neighborhood, said the Polish minister

He explained that to prevent an attack they are strengthening the Polish army and creating new military units.

“This tank battalion here in the Siemiaticki region will be equipped with K2 tanks. These are modern tanks developed in the 21st century,” added Mariusz Blaszczak.

The ministry explained on its website that they have already deployed a container town and are planning to build a permanent infrastructure in the coming years. Also, at the first stage of creating the unit, more than 100 soldiers will be stationed there, and in the future – several hundred on a permanent basis.

Where is the village of Chartaev: look on the map

The Polish Ministry of Defense noted that the formation of the 1st Infantry Division began in September 2022. It will consist of:

• 2 military units: 4 combined arms brigades, an artillery brigade, 4 military-type regiments and 3 specialized battalions;
• more than 30 thousand soldiers;
• they will be located in Podlasie, Mazovia, Warmia-Masuria and Kuyavian-Pomeranian voivodeships.

Germany withdraws its Patriots from Poland

Germany plans to withdraw three of its air defense units from Polish territory. After all, Berlin deployed its Patriot systems on Polish lands to prevent shelling. After all, on November 15, 2022, during a massive shelling of Ukraine, an air defense missile fell in Poland.

The German side will withdraw the air defense because it will be useful for use by NATO's rapid reaction force in 2024. Patriot systems also require maintenance.

The Patriot systems have been in Poland with nearly 300 German soldiers since early 2023. They were based in the Polish town of Zamosc, 30 miles from the Ukrainian border. Moreover, the settlement has an important railway connection with Ukraine.