ORIGINAL PAPER
Challenges and threats to military road transport in the context of the contemporary geopolitical situation
More details
Hide details
1
Instytut Logistyki i Transportu, Lotnicza Akademia Wojskowa, Poland
A - Research concept and design; B - Collection and/or assembly of data; C - Data analysis and interpretation; D - Writing the article; E - Critical revision of the article; F - Final approval of article
Submission date: 2025-07-08
Final revision date: 2025-11-19
Acceptance date: 2025-12-30
Publication date: 2025-12-31
Corresponding author
Tomasz Iwan
Instytut Logistyki i Transportu, Lotnicza Akademia Wojskowa, Dywizjonu 303, 08-521, Dęblin, Poland
SLW 2025;63(2):75-96
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Military road transport is essential for operational readiness, yet it increasingly operates within a security environment shaped by hybrid activities, sabotage and deliberate disruptions observed during the Russian–Ukrainian war. The research niche of this article is the integration of classic road safety considerations with the risk of intentional human interference in military movements conducted on civilian road infrastructure. The purpose of the article is to identify emerging threats to military road transport and to propose pragmatic risk mitigation measures. It is hypothesised that the visibility, predictability and information leakage inherent in organised movements (columns, oversize vehicles and dangerous goods transports) significantly increase vulnerability to hostile interference beyond ‘typical’ traffic hazards. The study applies qualitative desk based methods: analysis of Polish legal and administrative regulations and military procedures, supported by a review of contemporary threat patterns and lessons learned from the war in Ukraine, followed by synthesis into recommendations. The analysis indicates that mandatory markings, convoy structure, route constraints and public exposure may facilitate targeting, while cyber and information operations can amplify disruption effects. The article proposes a systemic approach that combines operational security (limiting sensitive information), route and timing planning, strengthened liaison with security services, and targeted public awareness to reduce incident probability and consequences.