Poland will shortly start enrolling the first volunteers in a 35,000-member paramilitary force aimed at parrying a perceived threat from Russia, Defence Minister Antoni Macierewicz said.

"Enrolment of the first members of the territorial defence force will start in September," Mr Macierewicz said at a conference of paramilitary organisations in the northern town of Ostroda.

The force's command structure and senior appointments were decided in April, the minister said, according to a report by PAP news agency.