2025-10-16 16:32
publication
2025-10-16 16:32
Radicalization of groups of armed citizens to destabilize the state during a crisis is one of the hybrid war scenarios used by the Russian Federation, Jacek Siewier, professor, told PAP. Naval Academy, member of the Atlantic Council, former head of the National Security Bureau.
Siewiera said that a lot of permits were issued for weapons in Poland: short, long and personal. He added that this fact is often interpreted as the readiness of citizens to participate in armed formations.
– Two issues need to be emphasized. First: today, no more than 2-3% of people die from direct contact on the Ukrainian front. soldiers of the Russian Federation, and even fewer from the Ukrainian side. This type of fire contact basically has no impact on the course of the war.
The second issue is the issue of the use of this type of weapons by citizens to perform various types of activities reserved for the state security apparatus or state structures.
– An armed citizen going out on the streets in some patrols is only a threat, because these are also the scenarios used by the Russian Federation as part of the hybrid war. This means such mobilization and playing on social emotions, as well as such preparation of society and radicalization of some groups, so that in the moment of conflict, in the moment of crisis, they will be a factor destabilizing the structures of the state – noted the former head of the National Security Bureau.
Siewiera emphasized that the readiness of citizens to serve in state structures, to serve in the military, to serve in the Border Guard and in the police is the best proof of civic responsibility.
“The basic task of a citizen is to take care of your family”
The expert emphasized that the basic task of a citizen during an armed conflict is to take care of his family, his own safety and, almost simultaneously, constant involvement in the functioning of the economy, in the functioning of his workplace, his enterprise.
– It is these factors that determine in Ukraine today how quickly the energy infrastructure is restored, how quickly construction damage is removed, or how quickly roads are cleared after debris from subsequent collapsed buildings blocks passage, e.g. for emergency services, said Siewiera.
He noted that this is very often done by private companies contracted by the state as part of funds that can, on the one hand, increase the country's resilience and, on the other hand, maintain the functioning of its economy.
– The state can maintain the fight as long as it maintains its industry. Industrial plants and workplaces should put emphasis on developing the ability to be somewhat resistant to functioning in the conditions of a crisis of limited supplies or limited energy resources – added the former head of the National Security Bureau.
“We have time to build resilience and social awareness”
Siewiera said that we are still in a very early, first phase when it comes to preparing the civil protection system. He added that the main risks are related to large agglomerations, large cities, and areas where the greatest number of missile strikes and drone attacks occur. – This is where civil protection resources are often lacking – he noted.
He emphasized that we still have time to create a barrier to prevent a full-scale conflict. He added that we also have time to build resilience and social awareness to avoid panic in connection with the undoubtedly tense international situation.
PAP is the media patron of the European Forum for New Ideas (EFNI), which takes place in Sopot on October 15-17. (PAP)
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