Thousands of Poles Join Military Training Amid Russian Drone Attacks

In response to escalating fears of Russian aggression, thousands of Poles are signing up for voluntary military training, with over 20,000 recruits in the first seven months of 2025 and expectations to reach 40,000 by year-end. Individuals like Agnieszka Jedruszak, an office administrator near the Russian border, are preparing to defend their families, driven by the historical context of Russian hostility and recent Russian drone incursions into Polish airspace. Poland's military is actively bolstering its ranks, training volunteers alongside professional soldiers, and has increased military spending to 4.7% of GDP, the highest in NATO. The drone attacks, some entering from Belarus, prompted NATO to invoke Article 4 for consultations, though the alliance did not classify the incursion as an attack. Polish and allied officials emphasize the need to strengthen air defenses and NATO's eastern flank, while Russia denies posing a threat and has accused the West of hostility. The situation has heightened Poland's civil preparedness, with government efforts encouraging households to prepare evacuation kits amid growing concerns of potential conflict.