Agerpres quoted dpa as saying on Saturday that Poland’s armed forces have been registering record numbers since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine 11 months ago.
Thus, the Polish Army recruited 13,742 new professional soldiers last year, Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszak announced in Lublin. “This is an achievement since the abolition of recruitment,” the minister added.
Compulsory military service last took place in Poland in 2008. After this, compulsory military service was discontinued.
Poland’s armed forces have a total of 164,000 men and women in its service, including 36,000 volunteer members of the National Guard units.
Warsaw recently increased its investments in defense after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Poland’s army will be increased to 250,000 professional soldiers and 50,000 volunteers from the National Guard units.
Poland has decided to attract more citizens to its armed forces, introducing voluntary basic military service for those willing and nationwide one-day military training courses.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has affected the security architecture in Europe and the world, with countries’ governments increasing their investments in defense and sending aid to Kiev.
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