Lessons from Poland: When a Neighboring Country Is at War, Logistics Are Tested

Poland has played a central role as a transit country and logistical hub for support to Ukraine, with extensive responsibility for transportation, supply, and protection of critical infrastructure. A large part of international and European support has passed through Poland, requiring rapid scaling of transport, storage, and distribution, says Camilla Arvastson, analyst at the Civil Defense Agency. The function has been crucial for prioritizing deliveries, ensuring resources reach the right recipients, and managing large amounts of information related to transport and storage, she explains. At the same time, an anti-corruption investigation conducted by the EU and Polish authorities has revealed deficiencies in transparency, traceability, and accountability within the operations. Border municipalities such as Rzeszów and Jasionka have developed into important hubs for logistics, healthcare, refugee reception, humanitarian aid, and international cooperation. The concentration of people, transports, and resources in these areas has significantly increased the burden on infrastructure, public services, and security efforts.