Polish military to conduct training in northeast on Monday and Tuesday, residents urged not to photograph movements
On 13–14 July, the Polish Armed Forces will hold planned exercises in the northeast, with troop movements visible on public roads. Command appeals to residents not to share images online.
Announcement
Dowództwo Operacyjne Rodzajów Sił Zbrojnych (DORSZ) announced on Sunday 12 July that selected subunits of the Polish Armed Forces will conduct scheduled training on 13 and 14 July. The exercises will take place in the north‑eastern area of the country. In a statement posted on X, the command said the drills are part of the regular training cycle of the Polish military.
The aim of the training is to maintain operational readiness and improve combat capabilities.
The command stressed that such undertakings are a routine element of the Polish Armed Forces’ training activity.
What residents can expect
During Monday and Tuesday, residents may periodically see soldiers and military vehicles moving, including on public roads. DORSZ urged the public to exercise caution in areas where military convoys are passing. No disruption to daily life beyond the visible presence of troops and equipment has been indicated.
The training is confined to the north‑eastern region; no specific towns or ranges were named, but the area encompasses the broader Podlasie and Warmia‑Mazury provinces. Previous similar drills have drawn attention from local communities unaccustomed to heavy military traffic, though authorities routinely issue advance notice.
The social media appeal
The command made a specific request: do not publish information, photographs or video recordings of troop and equipment movements on social media.
Published material can be used for reconnaissance purposes or in disinformation activities.
DORSZ added that everyone should together look after common security. The warning reflects a growing concern among NATO militaries that open‑source imagery can be exploited by hostile intelligence services. Polish defence circles have repeatedly cautioned that even seemingly harmless phone snapshots can reveal unit compositions, convoy routes and readiness levels.
A regular drill in a tense neighbourhood
The north‑eastern flank of Poland borders the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad and Belarus, areas of heightened military tension since 2022. While the upcoming training is described as routine, any visible troop movement in the region is closely watched by both allies and potential adversaries.
The Polish army conducts dozens of such exercises each year, many coordinated with NATO partners. This particular drill involves only selected subunits and has not been linked to any specific threat scenario. The public communication, however, indicates that operational security remains a priority.
Residents accustomed to seeing low‑flying helicopters or occasional convoys during harvest season may notice a modest increase in activity on 13–14 July. Authorities have not announced road closures, but drivers travelling through the north‑eastern voivodeships are advised to remain alert near military vehicles.
