The Polish energy and critical infrastructure system continuously maintains a heightened state of alert. At present, there is no direct threat, such as the physical attacks on critical infrastructure seen in Ukraine – whether energy, transport or logistics-related. Poland has spent years investing in ensuring the safety of its infrastructure and energy security. But security is a process – it’s not something that’s given once and for all. Investment in security, both military and infrastructural, must be ongoing.
“Remember, we are in a period of crisis. It means we are no longer in the normal peace-time, known from a few years back,” said Mariusz Marszałkowski, editor-in-chief of POLON.pl, to the eNewsroom.pl service. “We are not yet in a state of war, that is, a physical, hot armed conflict. However, we need to keep in mind that we are a frontline state – i.e., one that shares a border directly with a country where military operations are taking place. We also border a country that is a party – an assailant of this conflict, and additionally with a country ally of the assailant. Such a role, this situation, imposes particular caution on us, particular attention, particular scrutiny, and analysis of security issues in the region. We may face various acts of sabotage or diversion from Russia. Such things are already happening – for example, in the Baltic Sea, or for instance in the jamming of GPS or other communication signals. Unfortunately, the state of the Polish army still leaves much to be desired – especially in the northern sector, namely the navy. We are unable to bury such shortcomings and neglects that have built up over the years, and we cannot change them within two or three years. This is a process that will have to continue – Marszałkowski points out.”
