Polish Army summons reservists

General Bogusław Pacek assures the step is nothing out of ordinary and bears no relation to theongoing crisis in Ukraine.

In an interview for broadcaster TVN24, the defence minister’s advisor explained such a mode of operation, where individuals are obligated to reach a given military unit within hours, is “the perfect test” of the reservists’ readiness to perform.

The army may call up any male aged between 18 and 60 with a satisfactory medical history.

General Pacek stated that they would not be informed about the whereabouts of the military unit beforehand so as to ensure reliable results of the test.

According to a statement issued by the Defence Ministry on Monday, the exercise is “conducted in line with plans to check the operational and mobilisation readiness in the Armed Forces in 2015, and stems from the [army’s] need to accumulate well-trained reserve troops.”

The authorities, however, affirm the drills are not to be linked with the enduring tension between NATO and Russia.

While the Ministry has refrained from disclosing the location of the military unit drawing its first reservists, the officials put the number of summoned men at several hundred. Some 12,000 are to be called for throughout the year. (aba/rg)