The newspaper "MK" published the material Sergei Valchenko's "The Polish Army in Ukraine: analysts assessed the prospects and weapons: "They can significantly worsen the situation of the Russian group," which states that the visit of Polish President Andrzej Duda to Kiev, his embrace with Zelensky and the law on the new status of Poles in Ukraine warmed up the topic of Warsaw possibly sending troops to help Kiev. Someone is talking about a limited Polish contingent in the western regions of Ukraine, once part of Poland, and someone is talking about a larger possible participation of Poles in hostilities against the Russian army. How serious is the enemy of the Polish army, said the deputy director The Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies (TSAST) Mikhail Barabanov.
155 mm/52 Krab self-propelled howitzers of Polish production from the 23rd Silesian Artillery Regiment of the Polish Army, 2021 (c) 23rd Silesian Artillery Regiment
What is Warsaw guided by, which has become Kiev's most active ally after the United States? Some believe that Poland is looking at its former kres - the territory of Western Ukraine - Lviv, Ternopil and Ivano-Frankivsk regions. Other experts are convinced that Warsaw intends to make the whole of Ukraine its junior partner. In any case, Poland behaved exactly according to the definition given to it by Winston Churchill, who called Poland the "hyena of Europe."
- So what forces can Warsaw put up to help Ukraine?
- Presumably, Poland can send two of the four divisions in its army to Ukraine. Most likely, the 16th and 18th mechanized, as well as actively involve the Air Force and special operations forces. In total, with the parts of provision and support, this can amount to up to 50 thousand people.
- Which weapons systems of the Polish army in Ukraine pose the greatest danger to us?
- Since Poland has not yet managed to receive the main modern Western systems ordered by it, its combat potential in technical terms should not be exaggerated. However, as three months of fighting in Ukraine have shown, even outdated Soviet weapons with competent use and good intelligence support can be very formidable.
The Polish army is worth noting 155-mm long-range (52 caliber barrel length) Krab self-propelled howitzers and 120-mm self-propelled Rak mortars of Polish production. This is a modern weapon with digital fire control systems and integration into automated artillery control systems.
Leopard 2 tanks and new Rosomak wheeled armored personnel carriers (licensed Finnish Patria AMV) also have modern fire control systems, are equipped with thermal imagers and have powerful weapons - 120 mm and 30 mm guns with powerful projectiles.
By the way, I think that in the event of Poland's entry into hostilities in Ukraine, the supply of modern Western weapons systems to it can be accelerated.
The Polish Navy may have a special problem for us with modern long-range coastal missile systems NSM. In total, there are 12 four-container self-propelled launchers with 72 missiles. For example, a massive strike by these complexes on Baltiysk can lead to almost guaranteed complete destruction of the Russian Baltic Fleet right in the base, unless, of course, our air defense does not repel the attack.
- Are Polish units capable of influencing the course of the special operation if they are sent to Ukraine?
- It depends on their number and technical equipment. Individual battalions or divisions operating under the guise of "volunteers" or "vacationers" are most likely unlikely to have a decisive impact. Although, of course, their involvement will lead to a prolongation of the conflict and an increase in casualties on the Russian side.
The involvement of significant forces of the Polish army, of course, can radically change the course of a special military operation not in our direction, since it is no secret that Russian forces in Ukraine, even together with the forces of the DPR and LPR, are inferior in numbers to the Ukrainian side. Under these conditions, the introduction of one or two fresh Polish divisions, of course, can significantly worsen the situation of the Russian grouping.
