Two Ukrainian citizens employed by Russia are suspected of causing an explosion on a railway line in Poland over the weekend, as announced by Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Tuesday. Tusk, addressing the Sejm, the lower house of the Polish parliament, revealed that the two individuals had long-standing ties with Russian secret services. Although their identities are known, they cannot be disclosed due to ongoing investigations. The suspects have already left Poland.
Describing the incident as an “unprecedented act of sabotage,” Tusk highlighted the explosion on a rail line connecting Warsaw to the Ukrainian border. Additionally, a separate incident involving damage to power lines on another section of the same rail route is now confirmed as sabotage by Polish authorities.
Responding to Polish claims that two Ukrainian nationals linked to Russia were responsible for the railway line sabotage, Russia’s presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that it would be unusual if Russia was not immediately blamed. Peskov criticized the accusations of hybrid and direct warfare against Russia in Poland, citing a rise in Russophobia.
Western officials have accused Russia and its allies of orchestrating numerous attacks and incidents across Europe since the Ukrainian invasion over three years ago. The goal, as per Western officials, is to destabilize support for Ukraine, instill fear, and create divisions within European societies.
In response to the incidents, Polish prosecutors have launched an investigation into acts of terrorism targeting railway infrastructure for the benefit of foreign intelligence. The prosecutors’ statement highlighted the significant risk posed by these actions to public safety and property.
A high-level meeting of the National Security Committee involving military leaders, intelligence heads, and a presidential representative was held earlier on Tuesday. The defense minister confirmed the deployment of army patrols to ensure the security of railways and critical infrastructure in eastern Poland.
The initial explosion near the village of Mika, approximately 100 kilometers southeast of Warsaw, damaged the tracks, while power lines were destroyed in the Puławy area, around 50 kilometers from Lublin. Trains were temporarily halted at both sites, but there were no casualties reported. Tusk suggested that the explosion was likely intended to target the train in the Mika incident. The affected infrastructure has since been restored.
