Thousands of soldiers of Poland's new volunteer force, consisting of people who have signed up for basic military service, set up in response to Russia's aggression against Ukraine, took their oath of enlistment on Sunday.
Poland adopted a new law on homeland defence in March, which introduced a one-year long military service on a voluntary basis. The defence ministry started recruiting in late May, with military picnics and 70 recruitment offices in cities and towns around the country.
Mariusz Blaszczak, Polish defence minister and deputy prime minister, said Poland's duty is the responsibility of Poland at a Sunday swearing-in ceremony in Nowy Dwor Mazowiecki, central Poland.
The goal was to build up the Polish military so that the country could respond to the current threats.
There is a war on our eastern border, just like it is in the images from World War II. He said there are war crimes, civilians are murdered.
The goal of the country's authorities is to strengthen the Polish armed forces so that Poland can deter the aggressor, so that the Kremlin rulers do not dare to attack our country, Blaszczak said.
Around 8,000 candidates have signed up for the voluntary military service, he said.
Blaszczak said Poland's minimum goal is to increase the number of soldiers in Polish armed forces to 300,000, including 250,000 professional soldiers and 50,000 Territorial Defence Force WOT volunteers.
Poland suspended compulsory conscription in 2010 in order to professionalise its armed forces.
Poland now has about 111,500 professional soldiers and 32,000 WOT troops, according to the government.