Poland’s Fentanyl Crisis | DW Documentary

Nov 25, 2025 | Fentanyl is estimated to be fifty times as potent as heroin and is extremely addictive. The number of people in Poland abusing this powerful painkiller is growing. There have been dozens of fatalities.

Michal lives in a small town south of Gdansk. Because of the stigma surrounding people with addiction, he prefers to remain anonymous. Every two weeks, he travels to Święciec to take methadone, a substitute drug, at the addiction clinic of the psychiatric hospital.

After using various drugs, he started taking fentanyl, the strongest of all opiates. Fentanyl is used to treat people with severe pain and as an anesthetic. Addicts remove the gel from pain patches and inject it directly into their bloodstream. There have been dozens of fatal overdoses in Poland.

Michal has also lost one of his close friends. Corrupt pharmacists are believed to have sold large quantities of fentanyl patches to dealers. The authorities have since put a stop to this.

In Żuromin, Jadwiga Karpinska lost her son Pawel to a fatal overdose. Their town, a two-hour drive from the capital Warsaw, was known as the country’s unofficial fentanyl capital in 2024. That changed when police detained a well-known local dealer.

The drug continues to be available there, but in smaller quantities. Elementary school teacher Adam Ejnik believes in prevention. He wants to keep his students away from the drug by raising awareness about its dangers.

Artur from Łódź has managed to get off fentanyl. A few years ago, he was so addicted, he had lost the will to live. Today, his girlfriend Agnieszka helps him stay clean. His goal: he hopes to finish his psychology degree and work as a therapist to help other addicts get off the extremely powerful drug.

Poland Aims to Train 400,000 Civilians amid Russian Threat | DW News

Nov 22, 2025 | Ukraine's neighbor Poland has been stepping up measures to get its population ready for potential military threats from Russia. It's launched a program that puts civilians through military exercises aimed at basic survival and medical skills in case of a war. DW reporter Tessa Walther reports from Warsaw.

On Russia's Border: Fear of War | ARTE.tv Documentary

Sep 22, 2025 | Since the invasion of Ukraine, the shadow of Putin’s expansionism has been hanging over nations with a border with Russia: Poland, Norway, Finland and the Baltic States are worried. Mapping the World takes a look at the countries bordering Russia to the West and how they are dealing with a common challenge.

Ukraine's UN Ambassador on Whether Trump Is Really the Person to Broker Peace | DW News

Sep 20, 2025 | Andrii Melnyk, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations, outlines Ukraine’s objectives for the upcoming UNGA, weighs in on whether Donald Trump could broker peace in Ukraine, and explains why he believes Europe cannot return to “business as usual” with Russia once the war is over, and why buying energy from Russia is hypocritical.

NATO Forces Shoot Down Russian Drones over Poland, as Putin Tests Expansion of War

Sep 11, 2025 | Polish officials say during a massive Russian air raid on Ukraine, 19 Russian drones entered Polish airspace. They say NATO forces scrambled and shot down at least four of those drones. Russia says no Polish sites were targeted for destruction, but Poland says the incursion was an intentional act. Poland has invoked Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

ANTHONY DAVIS can be supported on Patreon here.

Poland ‘Closer to Military Conflict Than At Any Time since WW2’ as Nato Allies Weigh Response to Russian Drones

THE GUARDIAN: Donald Tusk says Poland dealing with a large-scale provocation after at least 19 violations of Polish airspace

Poland’s prime minister, Donald Tusk, said the country is closer to military conflict “than at any time since the second world war” as Warsaw and Nato allies weighed a response to an incursion of Russian drones into Polish airspace.

Poland scrambled its own and Nato air defences, shooting down at least three drones, as Russia’s attack on Ukraine spread to Nato territory early on Wednesday in the most significant way since the full-scale invasion more than three years ago.

There had been at least 19 violations of Polish airspace overnight, said Tusk, and some of them had entered Poland from Belarusian territory. Four Polish airports, including the two that serve Warsaw, were closed to traffic during the incursion. The prime minister of the Netherlands, Dick Schoof, said F-35 jets from his country took part in the mission to intercept the drones. At least three drones were shot down. » | Shaun Walker in Kyiv, Jakub Krupa and Pjotr Sauer | Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Poland Says Up to Four of 19 Russian Drones Shot Down after Entering Airspace | BBC News

Sep 10, 2025 | Poland's prime minister said a “huge number” of Russian drones violated the country's airspace during strikes on western Ukraine.

Speaking ahead of an emergency meeting, Donald Tusk said “this is the first time Russian drones have been shot down over the territory of a Nato country”.

A military operation has ended after Polish and Nato aircraft were deployed and most airports have reopened - Russia has yet to comment.

The drones that entered Poland were part of the latest major aerial attack on Ukraine, where Russia launched 415 drones overnight. Ukraine's President Zelensky said "at least eight strike drones" were aimed towards Poland, and called the escalation an “extremely dangerous precedent for Europe”.


Related article here.

Putin Tests Nato with Drone Attack over Poland

THE TELEGRAPH: Nato jets shot down Russian drones that “repeatedly violated” Poland’s airspace in an overnight bombardment of Ukraine.

Polish, Dutch and Italian fighter aircraft were scrambled to intercept more than 10 drones as citizens were told to stay at home.

It marks the most serious clash between Russia and the alliance since the start of war in Ukraine, dragging the conflict into uncharted territory.

Politicians and analysts believe it was a deliberate attempt by the Kremlin to test Nato’s response. » | Iona Cleave. Josh White. Chanel Zagon | Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Poland Is Sliding Back towards Populism. Democrats Elsewhere Should Heed Our Mistakes

THE GUARDIAN: Donald Tusk has failed to offer a positive vision for the future. Without one, liberals will just be an interval between populist acts

We were travelling across Poland by train the day after the country’s sensational parliamentary elections in autumn 2023. When news of the results came through, passengers in our compartment fell into each other’s arms, rejoicing as though a great weight had been lifted from their shoulders. Hard as it was to believe after eight years, the national populists of the Law and Justice party had been ousted from power on a record turnout of 75% of voters. We felt the potential of democracy to change things for the better as a physical sensation.

Less than two years have passed but this enthusiasm has disappeared without trace. The Law and Justice-backed candidate Karol Nawrocki won the presidential election run off in June with 50.89% of the vote, securing the admiration of Donald Trump in the process. Days before Nawrocki’s swearing in on Wednesday [6 August] a new poll suggested that almost half of voters would like the prime minister, Donald Tusk out. The ruling coalition is wobbling. Tusk’s liberal democratic government may turn out to be nothing more than an intermezzo, a pause between rightwing populist governments. » | Karolina Wigura and Jarosław Kuisz | Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Poland Urges Tesla Boycott After Musk's "Move Past" Nazi Guilt Comment | Firstpost Spotlight

Jan 29, 2025 | Poland Urges Tesla Boycott After Musk's "Move Past" Nazi Guilt Comment | Firstpost Spotlight | N18G

In Poland, outrage over Tesla owner Elon Musk's support of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has now taken the form of a boycott call. After Musked called upon Germans to "move past" its Nazi history, Polish Tourism Minister Sławomir Nitras has called for a Tesla boycott. "There is no justification for any reasonable Pole to continue purchasing Teslas. A serious and strong response is necessary, including a consumer boycott," Nitras told Polish media. Last week, Musk virtually joined an official election campaign for the AfD, giving a speech in which he said Germany "focuses too much on past guilt," adding that "children should not be guilty of the sins of their parents or even their great grandparents."

King Charles: Remembering the Evils of the Holocaust Is Vital

Jan 27, 2025 | King Charles has spoken out against the "evils" of the Holocaust at the Jewish Community Centre in Krakow.

"To be in Poland on International Holocaust Memorial Day... is both a sombre and indeed a sacred moment," the King said.

He went on to say it is a time when we remember the millions murdered in "violence and hatred" by the Nazi regime, adding it is a "moment when we recall the depths to which humanity can sink when evil is allowed to flourish, ignored for too long by the world."

Is Poland at the Helm of European Security? | ARTE.tv Documentary

Jan 15, 2025 | On 1st January 2025, Poland took over the Council of the European Union presidency. European security is its top priority. With its aggressive war against Ukraine, Russia once again represents a threat for Poland and for Europe. The Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has made it clear that Europe shouldn't rely on its own forces and try to defend itself without America.

Is Poland at the helm of European security? | ARTE.tv Documentary
Available until 30/12/2025

Why Poland Will Overtake British Economy by 2030

Dec 17, 2024

Brexit was the stupidest, stupidest, stupidest decision that Britons have taken since World War II. Only a fool would have advocated that the UK exit the European Union, and we all know who that fool was! Unfortunately, there were many Britons who were ill-informed enough to follow him. Nobody with any understanding of economics could have voted to leave the largest, most successful customs union and single market in the whole world, more especially when that single market is right next door, on our doorstep. There will be a special place in Hell reserved for the loudmouth who pushed for this ridiculous outcome. Especially for a country such as ours which is anyway in steep decline. Now, not only have we lost an empire, but we have lost our influence and greatest economic opportunity that was not only open to us but to which we belonged. Would that clowns joined circuses instead of entering politics! – © Mark Alexander

Poland Urges EU to Spend on Eastern Border Defense

Jul 12, 2024 | Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski joins Balance of Power with Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz to discuss the just-concluded NATO summit in Washington and the state of the alliance.

Germany, Poland Discuss Defense Cooperation and a Bigger NATO Presence on Eastern Flank | DW News

Jul 2, 2024 | Security and bolstering ties have topped the agenda of talks between German chancellor Olaf Scholz and Polish prime minister Donald Tusk in Warsaw. Scholz travelled to Poland with 12 government ministers. Tusk said they discussed boosting defense cooperation including a stronger NATO presence on the eastern flank to deter the threat from Russia.

Michael Lambert: "Polish Economy Soon to Overtake the UK?"

Jun 1, 2024 | “Last week I visited Lodz in Poland, a city with a population of over 600,000. A former centre for the textile industry, it is now a mixed economy. Lódź is a beautiful city with many outstanding buildings and landmarks. The main street Piotrkowska is full of bars and restaurants. The city is very green with many trees and small parks. Manufaktura is a huge new development of shops, restaurants, and cafés.

The economy of Poland seems to be proceeding very well and I found almost everyone to be positive and patriotic. The people met were all extremely friendly and helpful.”


Britain is well on its way to becoming the backwater of Europe. Most EU countries have overtaken us long ago, and those that haven’t yet, soon will. Poland is clearly one of them. Poland seems to be such a delightful country; the UK, by contrast, looks drab and shabby. It is so sad that so many of the British electorate allowed themselves to be led up the garden path by chancers. – © Mark Alexander

Poland Is Again Threatened by a Tyrant. This Time, Europe Must Not Look Away

THE OBSERVER: Donald Tusk needs to convince European leaders to act to deter Vladimir Putin from further aggression

Recent panicky talk of a third world war seems a tad overblown. Yet the specific threat posed by Russia’s aggressive, revisionist regime to eastern Europe is real and growing. As in the past, Poland is on the frontline of a battle for Ukraine that could easily spread. Scrambling to shore up defences, the UK and European Nato states must decide: is this 1920 or 1939?

As all Poles know, the Battle of Warsaw, 104 years ago this August, ended in Marshal Józef Piłsudski’s famous victory over the invading Red Army, which secured their country’s independence. They called it the “Miracle on the Vistula”, after the river linking Poland’s main cities. Vladimir Lenin lamented an “enormous defeat” for Bolshevik revolutionary ambitions in Europe.

September 1939 is remembered for the opposite reasons. Another totalitarian monster, Nazi Germany, was hammering on the door. Poles believed France and Britain would come to the rescue if they were attacked. But when Hitler invaded, an effective allied military response failed to materialise. Poland fell to fascism. Unspeakable horrors ensued. Poland recalls this two-part history, even if many in Europe do not, and has learned the lessons. It has doubled its armed forces in the past decade. Nato’s largest European land army will be equipped with the latest US-made battle tanks and missiles. And since Russia’s invasion two years ago this month, Poland has vigorously supported Ukraine. » | Simon Tisdall | Saturday, February 17, 2024

'Shame on You': Polish Prime Minister Hits Out at US Republicans

THE GUARDIAN: Poland’s prime minister, Donald Tusk, has issued a sharp public rebuke to American Republicans.

In a post on social media this morning, the centre-right politician said:

“Dear Republican Senators of America. Ronald Reagan, who helped millions of us to win back our freedom and independence, must be turning in his grave today. Shame on you.” » | Lili Bayer in Brussels | Thursday, February 8, 2024

The Instability of American Politics Can't Be Ignored (with Anne Applebaum) | The Bulwark Podcast

Dec 19, 2023 | Anne Applebaum discusses a ray of hope in Europe with the defeat of Poland's authoritarian government, while also contemplating the consequences for NATO and America's place in the world if Trump were to be reelected. Mona Charen sits in for Charlie Sykes.

Can the New Polish Prime Minister Ease Strained Relations with Germany? | DW News

Dec 12, 2023 | Poland's new parliament elected centrist party leader Donald Tusk as prime minister on Monday. Tusk becomes prime minister nearly two months after national elections won by a coalition of parties ranging from left-wing to moderately conservative.

The alliance of pro-EU parties signed an agreement last month, paving the way for a coalition government. Earlier on Monday, the parliament rejected the proposed conservative government of acting Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, a widely expected outcome that paved the way for the rival alliance to form the next government.

Only 190 deputies voted in favor of the Morawiecki government, while 266 voted against it and there were no abstentions. Morawiecki's Law and Justice (PiS) party lost its majority but retained its status as the largest single party in October's elections.

Morawiecki's failure opens the door for former Polish Prime Minister and former European Council President Donald Tusk. Tusk led a broad pro-EU opposition coalition in a bid to unseat PiS after two terms in power.


This is indeed welcome news! Donald Tusk is a good man. He will be good for Poland and good for the EU. This is like a breath of fresh air. A favourable wind is blowing from the east, at last. – © Mark Alexander