The Prime Minister signed new orders concerning the continuation of the second alert level (BRAVO) throughout the territory of the Republic of Poland and with regard to Polish energy infrastructure located outside its borders, as well as the third CRP alert level (CHARLIE–CRP) throughout the territory of Poland. The levels will remain in force until 31 May 2023, at 11:59 p.m..

The Prime Minister introduces alert levels under the provisions of the Act of 10 June 2016 on counter-terrorism activities.

The second alert level (BRAVO) is preventive in nature and is related to the current geopolitical situation in the region, involving various types of hybrid attacks carried out by the Russian Federation and Belarus against Poland and other European Union countries, as well as the consequences of Russia’s armed attack on Ukraine.

The BRAVO level is the second of the four alert levels and may be introduced when there is an increased and foreseeable threat of a terrorist incident, although the specific target of the attack has not been identified.

The CRP alert level, meanwhile, was introduced to counter threats in cyberspace.

The CHARLIE–CRP level concerns cyberspace security and is the third of the four alert levels specified in the Act on counter-terrorism activities. This level is introduced when an incident confirms a probable target of a terrorist attack in cyberspace, or when credible information is obtained about a planned incident. This alert level also covers the entire country.

Alert levels are primarily a signal to the services responsible for security and to the entire public administration to maintain particular vigilance.

The tasks of state authorities related to the introduction of alert levels are specified in the regulation of the Prime Minister of 25 July 2016 on the scope of measures carried out at individual alert levels and CRP alert levels. In the case of the BRAVO level, these tasks include, among others:

  • increased inspections by the Police, Border Guard or Military Gendarmerie of large gatherings;
  • increased inspections of public-use facilities and other facilities that could potentially become targets of terrorist attacks;
  • ensuring that personnel designated to implement procedures in the event of a terrorist incident are available on an alert basis;
  • warning personnel about possible threats;
  • the obligation for uniformed officers or soldiers directly carrying out tasks related to securing places and facilities that could potentially become targets of a terrorist incident to carry long firearms and bulletproof vests;
  • additional inspections of vehicles, people and public buildings in threatened areas;
  • strengthening the protection of public transport and important public facilities;
  • banning unauthorized persons from entering kindergartens, schools and universities.

In turn, under the CHARLIE-CRP alert level, the tasks include in particular:

  • round-the-clock duty by administrators of systems essential to the organization’s functioning and by personnel authorized to make decisions concerning the security of those systems;
  • reviewing resources in terms of their possible use in the event of an attack;
  • preparing to launch plans enabling continuity of operations after a potential attack, including the rapid and trouble-free shutdown of servers.

While the alert level is in force, particular attention should be paid to all unusual situations and potential threats, such as unusually behaving individuals; unattended packages, bags or backpacks in public places; and cars, especially vans, parked near gathering places.

Safety during the alert level depends not only on the actions of the relevant services, but also on the preparedness of administrators of public-use facilities, who are required to conduct increased inspections, as well as on citizens’ vigilance.

County authorities: – Do not ignore any information about a threat! Immediately notify the services by calling 112..