By Matt Underwood 
Poland sends 40,000 troops to the border before Russian military drills. It’s a headline that immediately grabs your attention, isn’t it? When you think about it, the situation is a bit of a déjà vu. We remember all the “military drills” on the Ukrainian border, and how that turned out. It’s hard not to feel a sense of unease when you see that kind of troop movement, especially when you know the history. The Russians, well, they have a certain track record. Let’s just say they’ve consistently shown a lack of interest in evolving beyond their tendencies of invading their neighbors. It’s unsettling, and it makes you wonder what’s really going on behind the scenes.
The timing is particularly eyebrow-raising. Why now? Russia’s already got its hands full in Ukraine. Launching military drills near Poland at this point just seems… unwise. It’s a move that feels provocative, and you can’t help but feel that Poland is right to take precautions. They’re not blind to history. They know what’s at stake. The Polish attitude towards Russia? It’s one of steely-eyed vigilance, and frankly, it’s admirable. I hope the leaders of NATO recognize the importance of their alliance, seeing as it can become necessary for each country for their sustainability in the future, especially as there could be other wars on the horizon.
And it’s not just Poland that’s paying attention. Everyone in the region is. Living in a country like Estonia, you understand the stakes. We’re not overly concerned about invasion from our usual allies, but the Eastern border always requires attention. It’s a lesson learned through centuries. It feels like the world is holding its breath, waiting to see what Russia will do next. The idea of war is frightening, of course. But if you are on the front lines, like Poland, you have to be ready for anything.
The concept of “military drills” is a tricky one. It’s just like what happened on the border of Ukraine. Those drills have a way of morphing into something else, something far more serious. So, seeing Poland respond by bolstering its border defenses is not surprising. There’s a clear understanding that an attack on one member of NATO is an attack on all. That’s a powerful deterrent, and I imagine it’s playing on Russia’s mind.
The question remains: what’s Russia’s game here? It’s a dangerous game to play. They’re already struggling in Ukraine. To further antagonize Poland and Finland at the same time, just seems like a disastrous decision. It’s hard to see the long game they are trying to play here. It all leads you to wonder if there is a full scale mobilization and further militarization of their society being planned. I hope Poland will be able to be safe and defend themselves against the attacks that Russia can bring.
The need for swift action is paramount. And it’s not just military hardware that’s needed. If a situation like this were to arise, Poland’s response should be symmetrical. They should send the same number of drones, and target the same Russian infrastructure to send a message. The only language that Russia seems to understand is force. I’m not advocating for war, but it’s a reality we can’t ignore. Hopefully, the world will see this situation as it really is and will send arms and air defense systems to the region.