Marcin Oskierko

The aim of the article is to analyze the role and importance of pro-defense non-governmental organizations in the state security system. The authors aim to show how these organizations contribute to increasing the level of safety through various educational, training, logistical and operational support activities. The article begins with a discussion of contemporary threats and challenges in the area of security, emphasizing the need for a flexible approach to security strategy and the involvement of various sectors of society, including non-governmental organizations. In the next part, the authors define non-governmental organizations and emphasize their independence from government structures. They draw attention to their role in the democratic system and to the legal framework for the functioning of non-governmental organizations in Poland. Further on, the authors discuss a wide range of activities of non-governmental organizations, including the promotion of physical activity, culture, education, social assistance, health care, local development, protection of animal rights and promotion of gender equality. They emphasise how the diversity of these activities contributes to improving the quality of life of citizens and increasing public awareness. For the purposes of the article, a research problem was formulated in the form of the question: What is the importance and role of pro-defense non-governmental organizations in the state security system? In view of the research problem presented in this way, a hypothesis was formulated: Pro-defense non-governmental organizations play an important role in the state security system, contributing to raising the level of security through education, training, logistical and operational support, and shaping security policies at the local and national level. For the purposes of the study, the method of analysis of literature, legal acts and reliable Internet sources was used.

The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the impact of the Ukrainian-Russian conflict on Poland’s security situation. After the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Eastern European region became an arena of new geopolitical tensions. The conflict in Ukraine, which erupted in 2014, represents one of the most significant challenges to international stability, including Poland’s security. The article points out that Poland, as a member of NATO and the EU, occupies a strategic position in the region, making its security closely tied to events in neighboring countries, particularly Ukraine. In the context of this conflict, the main threats to Poland include the possibility of military actions spreading to border areas, cyberattacks, disinformation propaganda, and hybrid activities from Russia. Furthermore, the authors of the article analyze Poland’s responses to these threats, including increased defense spending, modernization of the armed forces, and strengthening cooperation with allies within NATO and the EU. Poland is also involved in various international initiatives aimed at supporting Ukraine, which may raise concerns in Russia and lead to retaliatory actions, such as economic sanctions or attempts at political destabilization.
In the conclusion, the article emphasizes that Poland must continue strengthening its defense capabilities and political stability while promoting international dialogue and diplomacy as means to reduce regional tensions. For the purposes of the article, the research problem was formulated as a question: How does the Ukrainian-Russian conflict affect Poland’s security as well as its foreign and defense policy? In response to this research problem, the hypothesis was posed: The Ukrainian-Russian conflict increases the sense of threat in Poland, prompting the Polish government to intensify efforts to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities and to be more actively involved in international alliances such as NATO and the EU. To answer the research question, methods such as critical analysis of the literature, analysis of legal acts and documents, as well as reliable online sources were used.