Key Weaknesses in Poland’s Military Exposed by Ukraine War Veteran

Why Drones Are Crucial in Modern Warfare

According to ХВИЛЯ: Piotr Mitkiewicz, a Polish volunteer who served as a drone operator in the Ukraine war, shared critical insights in a recent interview about the combat use of unmanned aerial vehicles. He explained that modern technologies, such as external antennas, allow drone operators to remain hidden in shelters, underground bunkers, or basements-a vital capability in active combat zones. According to Mitkiewicz, Ukraine relies heavily on the Starlink satellite system for rapid data transmission, which significantly boosts the effectiveness of military operations.

Mitkiewicz also discussed the various drone types deployed on the front lines, including models equipped with megaphones used to capture prisoners. He emphasized the importance of acoustic detectors for spotting enemy drones, a tool widely employed by Ukrainian forces. A key system in use in Ukraine is the Delta platform, which aggregates data from frontline sensors. Although Poland has a person with high-level access to Delta and a company that contributed to its development, these technologies are not currently being utilized there.

Bureaucracy Under Fire: Calls for Reform

Mitkiewicz highlighted that Ukrainians have accumulated hundreds of thousands of hours of drone footage, which could be used to train artificial intelligence models. He also noted that fiber-optic drones, which are immune to jamming, can fly 20 to 30 kilometers deep into enemy territory. Polish troops, he said, are forced to train themselves and seek information from Ukrainians-pointing to serious gaps in their own military's training and equipment.

Mitkiewicz strongly criticized the red tape within the Polish army, arguing that it prevents the military from leveraging the expertise of combat veterans. He identified several key issues, including:

• a lack of systematic approaches;
• failure to use veteran experience;
• low salaries for programmers, which hampers the development of military technology.

“The Polish army is nothing but concrete, concrete, concrete,” he said, referring to bureaucratic obstacles. Mitkiewicz proposed deregulation, bringing in civilian managers for military processes, and creating an experimental company staffed by veterans.

He also pointed out that Polish soldiers are not allowed to shoot down smuggler drones that regularly cross the border from Belarus. In today’s warfare, Mitkiewicz warned, it is impossible to ignore the need to adapt to new technologies and combat methods.

“Invite us, give us work,” he urged, stressing the importance of involving veterans in training and preparing new military personnel.

This discussion underscores the urgent need for Poland to integrate cutting-edge technology and veteran know-how into its defense strategies, especially given rising threats from neighboring states. Bringing in civilian specialists and former soldiers could drive innovation and improve operational efficiency-essential moves in the current security environment. The advancement of drone technology and adaptation to modern warfare tactics remain top priorities for militaries worldwide, including Poland’s.

As the landscape of warfare evolves, the integration of technology is becoming increasingly vital. This is particularly evident in Ukraine, where robotic combat missions are transforming military strategies. Understanding how these advancements can influence operations in Poland is essential for grasping the broader implications of modern combat.