New Barrier Underway in Podlaskie Voivodeship
Polish authorities have initiated the construction of a second barrier along the border with Belarus in the Podlaskie Voivodeship, a region located in northeastern Poland that shares a frontier with both Belarus and Lithuania. Materials for the new structure are currently being delivered to the border area, with installation of the fence anticipated to begin in the coming days. The project is slated for completion by January 2026, with the full barrier expected to be operational by early spring.
Details of the New Defensive Structure
The newly constructed barrier will consist of a four-meter-high fence made of metal mesh. It will be further reinforced with two rows of barbed wire placed along its base. This additional line of defense is being built alongside a road that runs parallel to the existing border infrastructure. Its primary objective is to deter migrants who manage to breach the initial barrier and to facilitate easier apprehension and intervention by border guards.
Context of Ongoing Border Security Efforts
This latest construction effort builds upon a previous barrier erected in 2022, which was a direct response to a significant migration crisis that commenced in 2021. Polish officials have consistently characterized this influx of migrants as a 'hybrid warfare tactic' orchestrated by Belarus and Russia to destabilize the region. The initial barrier, a 5.5-meter-high metal wall stretching approximately 186 kilometers, was equipped with advanced surveillance technology, including cameras, motion sensors, and thermal imaging systems. Modernization work on this first structure was also carried out in 2024.
The Podlaskie Voivodeship has experienced ongoing pressure from illegal crossings. Between the beginning of 2025 and November 11, 2025, a total of 1,428 individuals who illegally crossed the border were detained in the region. This figure represents a decrease compared to the 5,015 cases recorded during the same period in the previous year. The overall investment in enhancing border security is projected to exceed 2.5 billion zlotys (approximately 587 million euros). Deputy Minister for Migration Maciej Dusić has stated that the goal is to achieve 'nearly 100%' border security upon the completion of these fortifications.
5 Comments
Donatello
This is inhumane and won't solve the root causes of migration.
Raphael
Expensive and ultimately futile. They'll just find another way around.
Mariposa
While the government claims 'nearly 100%' security, the historical record of border walls shows they are often breached, and this massive investment might not deliver the absolute security promised, leaving questions about its true value.
Fuerza
The decrease in crossings suggests the initial barrier had some impact, yet building a second one might only push vulnerable people into more dangerous routes rather than truly stopping the flow.
Habibi
It's understandable Poland wants to secure its borders against perceived hybrid threats, but the sheer cost of this project raises questions about whether the funds could be better used elsewhere for more sustainable solutions.