The Polish government announced Thursday it will launch a new, large-scale military training program this month, open to citizens of all ages, as the nation bolsters its civilian preparedness in the face of the ongoing threat from Russia.

Dubbed "Always Prepared," the initiative is a pilot program for a much broader ambition: to train 400,000 people across the country by 2026.

Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz hailed the upcoming program as an unprecedented step for national security. He stated it would be "the largest defense training in Polish history" and would be available to "all Polish citizens," from primary school children to old-age pensioners.

The announcement underscores the heightened security concerns in Poland, a NATO member that shares a long border with Ukraine. The initiative is a direct response to the ongoing war and the perceived threat from Moscow.

"The initiative is needed due to the threat from Russia," Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz said, clearly linking the program's necessity to the actions of its eastern neighbor.

While specific details on the curriculum are yet to be fully released, the "Always Prepared" program is designed to provide basic military and survival skills to the general populace. The plan to train hundreds of thousands next year signals a significant and rapid escalation in Poland's efforts to ensure its citizens are ready for a potential crisis.