LOCAL BORDER TRAFFIC AND BORDER SECURITY IN THE CONDITIONS OF THE WAR IN UKRAINE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/2312-1815/2025-21-26Keywords:
Polish–Ukrainian border, local border traffic, border crossings, border security, cross-border mobility, transboundary cooperationAbstract
The Polish-Ukrainian border, as the external border of the European Union and the Schengen Area, plays a key role in ensuring security and facilitating socio-economic exchange between the two countries. This article presents the current state of border crossing points and the local border traffic (LBT) system, with particular focus on the year 2023. The study analyzes the number and distribution of border crossings, their capacity, and the dynamics of cross-border movement. Data from the Polish Border Guard Headquarters and Statistics Poland were used to compare traffic on the Ukrainian border with other external border sections of Poland (with Belarus and Russia). The findings indicate that despite ongoing modernization of border infrastructure, the number of crossing points remains insufficient, leading to excessive congestion, long queues, and time losses. The study also highlights the growing importance of LBT as a tool supporting everyday mobility of borderland residents and the socio-economic development of the region.
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