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By Staff Writer
Polish authorities have accused Russian secret services of orchestrating sabotage attacks on railway infrastructure, in what officials describe as part of Moscow’s wider campaign to destabilise Europe. Jacek Dobrzyński, spokesperson for Poland’s minister-coordinator of secret services, said the incident on the Warsaw–Lublin line was organised by “secret services from the East” and warned that Russia aims to intimidate Polish society and sow division.
“Everything currently indicates that the terrorist act on Polish railway tracks was initiated by secret services from the East,” Dobrzyński said. He added: “Officers are doing everything possible to clarify this case. I cannot say what trail they are following. Russian services are very eager to know in which direction our officers are heading.”
Dobrzyński stressed that Moscow’s goal is to destabilise Poland and the wider European Union: “They will certainly try to exploit this. Russian services want to destabilise Poland and the European Union, to create a rift between us and Ukraine, and to generate a negative atmosphere. We must not allow ourselves to be drawn into these actions of the Russian services,” he warned.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed that two Ukrainian citizens working for Russia are suspected of blowing up the line over the weekend. Speaking to the Sejm, he described the explosion near the village of Mika as an “unprecedented act of sabotage” and revealed that the suspects, long believed to have collaborated with Russian intelligence, have fled to Belarus. In a separate incident, power lines were destroyed near Puławy, further south along the same route. Prosecutors have opened an investigation into “acts of sabotage of a terrorist nature” committed for the benefit of foreign intelligence, warning that the attacks posed an immediate danger to passenger trains and risked large-scale casualties. Rail traffic has since been restored, but army patrols have been deployed to secure critical infrastructure in the east of the country.
The Warsaw–Lublin line is strategically vital for transporting aid to Ukraine. Tusk said the explosion was most likely intended to blow up a train, underscoring the seriousness of the threat. Poland’s National Security Committee convened earlier this week with military commanders and intelligence chiefs to assess the situation.
Europe has faced a growing campaign of sabotage and hybrid attacks attributed to Russia, targeting transport, government facilities, critical infrastructure, and industry. Many operations have involved explosives or incendiaries. Former UK security minister Tom Tugendhat told The Independent that Russia’s strike on the Romanian border was tantamount to “attacking Nato,” warning: “Putin is expanding his Ukrainian war to dissuade us from defending European freedom… It is now a state sponsor of terrorism.” His comments reflect growing concern that Europe’s response may need to move beyond sanctions and military aid.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated in Brussels that the alliance remains “in close contact with Polish authorities.” EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said on X: “The threats to our security are real and growing. We must urgently boost capacity to protect our skies and our infrastructure.”
France has begun talks with Ukraine to supply Rafale fighter jets, while Britain and the EU have stepped up support to offset Washington’s suspension of aid. Yet Nato remains cautious, even as frontline states like Poland and Romania face escalating threats.
The sabotage in Poland highlights the vulnerability of Europe’s critical infrastructure and the risks posed by Russia’s hybrid warfare. For Warsaw, the attacks are not only an assault on its sovereignty but also a direct attempt to disrupt the lifeline of support to Ukraine.
