Poland stages Brave Boar 26 exercise with South Korean tanks and howitzers near Kaliningrad

Poland hosts NATO exercise 70 kilometers from Kaliningrad

The reported Russian scenarios under discussion could involve missile or drone strikes against critical infrastructure, a limited ground incursion from Kaliningrad or Belarus, or an operation designed to blur responsibility and delay NATO’s response, according to the reports. The goal would not necessarily be a full-scale war, the reports said, but a political test of NATO’s Article 5 collective defense guarantee.

Russia could attempt to portray a border crossing as an accident caused by GPS interference or as a rescue operation involving unmarked troops — often referred to as “little green men” — the reports said.

Poland has been watching the region closely because it is a major route for Western military aid to Ukraine and sits near the Suwalki Gap, a narrow corridor between Kaliningrad and Belarus that is considered one of NATO’s most vulnerable points, according to Polish and NATO officials.

During the ground portion of Brave Boar 26, K2 tanks were used to test armored maneuvers across difficult terrain, while K9 howitzers provided rapid fire support from the rear, Asia Today reported. The artillery units were linked with fire-control systems to strike simulated enemy positions shortly after targets were identified, the outlet said.

The FA-50 aircraft were used for close air support missions, helping ground forces advance by striking simulated enemy positions, and conducted combat air patrol missions near the Suwalki Gap while practicing responses to low-altitude threats such as drones, Asia Today reported. The FA-50’s Link 16 tactical data link allowed the aircraft to share battlefield information with ground units and allied NATO assets, demonstrating compatibility with NATO systems.

The K9 howitzer network has become an important part of deterrence on NATO’s northern and eastern flanks, the reports said. Poland, Norway, Finland and other European users operate the same artillery platform or related supply chains, allowing them to coordinate logistics, maintenance and ammunition support more effectively.

For Poland, the South Korean systems are part of a broader effort to field modern forces quickly as the threat from Russia grows. The K2, K9 and FA-50 give Warsaw armored, artillery and air support capabilities that can be deployed near the front line, the reports said.

For South Korea, the deployments show how its defense industry has moved from export contracts to a more central role in European security.