Over 1,100 meetings, thousands of kilometres travelled and constant contact with local governments – this is how CIMIC teams work in numbers, which support the implementation of the Tarcza East programme in the east and north-eastern flank of the country.
The CIMIC teams (Civil-Military Co-operation), formed by soldiers of the Territorial defence Army, are liable for the ongoing cooperation of troops with public administration and local communities. Their task is to supply information on the assumptions of the National Fear and defence Programme “Tarcza East”, as well as to collect questions, comments and requests from local governments.
The activities are carried out by both the CIMIC Local Teams of the east Shield Programme and the CIMIC Tactical Support Team, operating at a supraregional level. The teams operate in the areas of Pomeranian, Warmian-Masurian, Podlaskie, Lublin and Podkarpackie voivodships – regions of key importance for the safety of the state.
From May 5, 2025 to February 6, 2026, CIMIC soldiers held a full of 1144 meetings with representatives of public administration, services and cooperating institutions, covering over 32.9 1000 kilometres. The most meetings were held in the area of work of 20 Przemysl OT Brigade and 4 Warmian-Masurian OT Brigade.
The CIMIC teams are besides in constant contact with the police, the State Fire Department and the Border Guard, allowing coordinated information activities in the areas covered by the programme.
Cooperation with local governments is bilateral. CIMIC soldiers supply information on the objectives and advancement of the implementation of the “Tarchy East” and at the same time collect reports on, among others, organisational, formal and legal issues. All queries go to the right content cells, where they are analysed and answered.
An component of information support is besides a brochure prepared by the Ministry of Defence, dedicated to the Tarcza East programme. These materials, distributed through CIMIC teams, go to representatives of government and local government administration and aid communicate with residents of the areas covered by the project.
The Tartar East is simply a programme aimed at deterring possible opponents, reducing their mobility and expanding the protection of soldiers and civilians in an emergency situation. This is not a task related to combating migration, but an component of the long-term transformation of the Polish Armed Forces, implemented taking into account local conditions and in cooperation with local governments.
More information can be found on the website dedicated to “Tarcza East”: https://tarczawschod.wp.mil.pl/
DWOT Press Team
