On Friday, September 25, 2026, at the Museum of the Battle of Warsaw 1920 in Ossów, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of National Defence Stanisław Wziątek, representing Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, took part in a ceremonial roll call marking Territorial Defence Forces Day.
Photos: Ministry Of National Defence
„On the occasion of Territorial Defence Forces Day, I would like to express my highest appreciation to all soldiers and employees and thank you for your daily service to the security of the Republic of Poland and its citizens. Today’s security environment poses serious challenges to the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland. The war being fought beyond our eastern border, migration pressure, and hybrid threats show how important readiness, resilience, and the ability to respond rapidly are. Within this system, the Territorial Defence Forces hold a special place – they combine the state’s military potential with the strength of local communities,” Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz wrote in a letter addressed to participants in the Territorial Defence Forces Day ceremony.
„Territorial soldiers, your motto – ‘Always Ready, Always Close’ – is not merely a slogan. It is a commitment that you fulfill every day through your service. You are present wherever national security requires it and wherever citizens need you. You support the protection of the Republic’s borders, strengthen security on the eastern flank, and assist local communities in crisis situations. Above all, however, the essence of your service remains readiness to defend Poland when the moment of trial comes. By inheriting the traditions of the Home Army, you inherit not only the memory of its soldiers, but also the obligation arising from their service – responsibility for the Homeland,” the Minister of National Defence wrote.
Today, the Territorial Defence Forces (WOT) number more than 45,000 soldiers. All planned brigades have been formed within the WOT structure. At present, every voivodeship has at least one WOT brigade. Lessons from the war in Ukraine, the persistent threat along the border with Belarus, and the development of the National Deterrence and Defence Program – East Shield have highlighted the need to strengthen the capabilities of the Border Defence Component (KOP). Border Defence Brigades will possess reconnaissance, fire support, unmanned systems and counter-UAS, as well as logistics capabilities.
„The strength of the Territorial Defence Forces lies in their people and their roots in local communities. For many Poles, the uniform of a Territorial soldier is one of the most direct symbols of the military’s presence. Soldiers – your knowledge, experience, and commitment to training citizens strengthen the resilience of society as a whole and the state’s ability to respond to all types of threats,” the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.
Readiness to defend the country remains the foundation of WOT service. Territorial soldiers train for combat operations within their assigned areas of responsibility, protection of key facilities and lines of communication, and support for mobilization, the deployment of national forces, and the reception of allied forces. One of the most important current directions in WOT development is the establishment of the Border Defence Component — a specialized structure comprising four WOT brigades. The KOP’s tasks will include supporting the Border Guard, conducting surveillance and reconnaissance, and countering hybrid threats and sabotage. WOT soldiers serving in the KOP will also be responsible for protecting and maintaining infrastructure associated with the National Deterrence and Defence Program East Shield.
Territorial Defence Forces Day is observed on September 27, the anniversary of the establishment of the Polish Underground State. The Territorial Defence Forces Command inherits the traditions of the Home Army Headquarters, while soldiers of the formation preserve the memory of the underground resistance. The Fighting Poland symbol used in WOT insignia serves as a reminder of courage, responsibility, and readiness to serve the Homeland.
Siłą Wojsk Obrony Terytorialnej są ludzie i ich zakorzenienie w lokalnych społecznościach
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– Z okazji Święta Wojsk Obrony Terytorialnej składam wszystkim żołnierzom i pracownikom wyrazy najwyższego uznania oraz dziękuję za codzienną służbę na rzecz bezpieczeństwa… pic.twitter.com/kVmg1Pqfp7— Ministerstwo Obrony Narodowej 🇵🇱 (@MON_GOV_PL) September 25, 2026
