Two individuals from Ukraine who were working for Russia are suspected of causing an explosion on a railway line in Poland, as announced by Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Tuesday. Tusk revealed in a speech to the Sejm, the lower house of the Polish parliament, that the two suspects had been in collaboration with Russian intelligence services for an extended period. Their identities are known but cannot be disclosed to the public due to ongoing investigations, and they have already departed Poland.
Describing the incident as an “unprecedented act of sabotage,” Tusk addressed the explosion that occurred on a rail line connecting Warsaw, the capital of Poland, to the Ukrainian border. Additionally, another section of the same railway line southwards experienced damage to power lines, now confirmed by Polish authorities as sabotage.
Responding to the Polish allegations that two Ukrainian nationals linked to Russia were responsible for the sabotage, Russia’s presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that it would not be surprising if Russia was blamed first. Peskov emphasized that accusations against Russia for various forms of warfare in Poland are abundant, indicating a rise in Russophobia.
According to Western officials and data collected by The Associated Press, Russia and its proxies have been accused of orchestrating numerous attacks and incidents across Europe following the invasion of Ukraine over three years ago. The alleged aim of these actions by Moscow, as per Western officials, is to undercut support for Ukraine, instill fear, and sow division within European societies.
A meeting of the National Security Committee was held earlier on Tuesday, involving military leaders, intelligence service heads, and a representative of the president. The Polish defence minister confirmed the dispatch of army patrols to ensure the security of railways and critical infrastructure in the eastern region of the country.
Polish prosecutors have launched an investigation into acts of sabotage deemed “terrorist in nature” targeting railway infrastructure and carried out for the benefit of foreign intelligence. The prosecutors highlighted that these actions posed an immediate risk of a potential disaster in land traffic, endangering lives, health, and widespread property.
The first incident involved an explosion that damaged tracks near the village of Mika, approximately 100 kilometers southeast of Warsaw. In a separate event, power lines were disrupted in the Puławy area, around 50 kilometers from Lublin. Trains transporting passengers were halted at both sites, although no injuries were reported. Prime Minister Tusk indicated that the explosion near Mika was likely intended to target a passing train. The necessary repairs have since been completed at both locations.