Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on Tuesday that two Ukrainian individuals, believed to be working for Russian authorities, are suspected of causing an explosion on a railway line in Poland over the weekend. Tusk revealed during a session at the Polish parliament that the suspects had long-standing connections with Russian intelligence services. Their identities remain undisclosed due to ongoing investigations, and they have already left the country.
Describing the incident as an unprecedented act of sabotage, Tusk highlighted the explosion on a rail line connecting Warsaw to the Ukrainian border. Additionally, authorities in Poland have confirmed another act of sabotage involving damaged power lines along a different section of the same railway route further south.
In response to Polish allegations implicating two Ukrainian nationals linked to Russia in the railway sabotage, Russia’s presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov expressed skepticism, stating that blaming Russia first seemed inevitable given the prevailing Russophobia narrative. Western officials have accused Russia and its allies of orchestrating numerous attacks and incidents across Europe since the Ukrainian invasion over three years ago, aiming to destabilize Ukraine, instill fear, and sow discord in European nations.
Polish prosecutors have launched an investigation into the sabotage incidents, classifying them as acts of terrorism against railway infrastructure orchestrated for the benefit of foreign intelligence. The actions posed a significant threat to public safety and property, prompting the deployment of army patrols to ensure the security of railways and critical infrastructure in eastern Poland.
The initial explosion near Mika village, approximately 100 kilometers southeast of Warsaw, damaged railway tracks, while power lines were destroyed in Puławy, about 50 kilometers from Lublin. Trains carrying passengers were temporarily halted at both locations, although there were no reported injuries. Tusk speculated that the explosion near Mika was likely intended to target a passing train. The affected areas have since been repaired to restore normal operations.