Main content

Poland's Amateur Defenders

Thousands of young people in Poland are joining paramilitary groups to defend their country against a possible invasion. But from whom? Tim Whewell reports.

Playing war-games in the woods has become an ever-more popular pastime in Poland as thousands of young people join paramilitary groups to defend their country against possible invasion. Others 鈥 so-called 鈥減reppers鈥 - are building bunkers and storing food supplies so their families can survive any disaster. Now the government plans to recruit such enthusiasts into a state-run volunteer defence force 鈥 to counter a possible Russian threat. But are the authorities stoking fear 鈥 and creating an amateur force that鈥檚 no use in 21st Century warfare? Tim Whewell reports from the forests of north-eastern Poland, close to the Russian border.

Producer: Estelle Doyle

(Image: A paramilitary group in Poland)

Available now

27 minutes

Last on

Mon 15 Aug 2016 06:06GMT

Clip

Broadcasts

  • Thu 11 Aug 2016 02:32GMT
  • Thu 11 Aug 2016 04:32GMT
  • Thu 11 Aug 2016 06:32GMT
  • Thu 11 Aug 2016 12:32GMT
  • Thu 11 Aug 2016 18:32GMT
  • Sat 13 Aug 2016 15:06GMT
  • Mon 15 Aug 2016 06:06GMT

Download this programme

Subscribe to this programme or download individual episodes