The Augustów Roundup

In July 1945, Red Army troops, supported by the Department of Security and the Citizens' Militia, carried out a pacification operation in and around the Augustów Forest. At least 7,000 people were detained. According to initial estimates, 600 of them were murdered. Today, based on new research, we know that there were many more victims. Even 2,000 people may not have returned home. The graves of the victims of the Augustów massacre have not been found to this day.

"The Augustów massacre is an unhealed Polish wound. A wound that cries out for an explanation," emphasised the Prime Minister. "The communist perpetrators attempted to murder our heroes from the Home Army and those who helped them twice. First, by depriving them of their lives, and second, by destroying their memory."

Remembrance of the victims

The head of the Polish government drew attention to the measures undertaken to preserve the memory of the victims of this event: "Today, we do not only speak [about it], but our words are supported by actions. The Pilecki Institute will create a Museum of the August Roundup in the repurchased ‘Turk's House’. This place will remind the next generation about the truth and the events of 77 years ago.

All this aims to ensure that the memory of our heroes is not lost. That is why, according to the law passed by the Sejm, we have been celebrating the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Augustów Roundup since 2015. This allows us to draw attention to the merits of those who were murdered at that time.”

The seed of freedom

"It was the seed of freedom that the victims from the time of the Second World War, and from the time of the Augustow Roundup and this Augustów massacre, kept has prevailed. It was their endeavours that later became the seed of freedom and solidarity, which was so important for the restoration of Polish independence," emphasised the Prime Minister.

That seed is still producing fruit. The brave people who stood up to Soviet domination after the war set the moral compass that guides the contemporary rulers of our homeland. These events also serve as a reminder of the importance of ensuring Poland's security.

Strengthening of security

Today, we place a strong emphasis on strengthening the security of Podlasie, but also of Poland as a whole. Our country is safe, guarded by the Polish military and supported by the most powerful military pact in the history of the world – the North Atlantic Alliance. Security is permanent and constantly reinforced.

"We have to do this so that the Russkiy mir never reigns on these lands again. The Russkiy mir that now gives Ukraine a bad name and which means violence, fear, crimes and domination," emphasised the head of the Polish government. "That is why we will never let a Russian soldier set foot on Polish soil, on the soil of Augustów, Sejny or Suwałki – unless this Russian soldier wants to kneel before one of these crosses.”