Poland to withdraw from landmine ban, citing border security concerns

Poland will withdraw from the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel mines in the coming weeks, giving its military more flexibility to secure its eastern border under the “Eastern Shield” program.

Poland, along with the Baltic states, formally withdrew from the Ottawa Convention in July, arguing that Russia’s continued use of banned weapons leaves them at a disadvantage.

File photo: PAP/Albert Zawada

Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk told public radio that the end of Poland’s obligations under the 1997 treaty will not immediately result in minefields along the frontier.

“This doesn’t mean that anti-personnel mines will suddenly appear,” he said. “It means greater freedom in using, producing, and storing them.”

Tomczyk said any future use of mines would depend on the General Staff’s assessment and occur only in response to real threats.

He noted that selected areas could be mined within 48 hours using Baobab-K mine-laying vehicles—Polish-made systems designed to quickly cover large areas with mines. The vehicles are expected to enter service in the coming days.

Poland, along with the Baltic states, formally withdrew from the Ottawa Convention in July, arguing that Russia’s continued use of banned weapons leaves them at a disadvantage.

(jh)

Source: IAR