Brygada Rakiet Przeciwlotniczych
THE ABANDONED BARRACKS IN POLAND
Soviet troops were stationed in Poland for nearly 50 years. This ‘Brygada Rakiet Przeciwlotniczych’ in Trzebień, was home of the Soviet 140th Anti-Aircraft Rocket Brigade.
In the summer of 1944, Soviet forces swept across Poland’s eastern border as they were advancing towards Nazi Germany. It was part of the Red Army’s Operation Bagration. By early 1945, Soviet forces had liberated all of Poland from Nazi occupation. Although Polish sovereignty was formally reinstated almost at once, Poland’s territory came under Soviet influence. Despite being officially recognized as allies of Poland under the Warsaw Pact, the Soviets were widely regarded by Poles as an occupying force.
Over time, 56,000 Russian troops were stationed in 59 garrisons throughout Poland. In Trzebień, the Anti-Aircraft Rocket Brigade was stationed. The site included barracks, an officers’ school, residential blocks for soldiers and their families, a cinema, a club, stores, fallout shelters, and a fuel base.
Following the fall of communism in 1992, Soviet soldiers withdrew from Trzebień. Subsequently, some of the buildings were repurposed into apartments and business premises. However, not all structures have been refurbished; several remain abandoned and in disrepair.
In 1993 the final 24 Russian soldiers retreated unceremoniously into Belarus, leaving Poland free of foreign interveners for the first time since Nazi Germany invaded to ignite the Second World War. Follow this link for more Soviet Barracks. I visited ‘Brygada Rakiet Przeciwlotniczych’ in 2019.
