Polish authorities are investigating coordinated acts of sabotage targeting a vital railway line used for transporting military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Security officials have indicated foreign intelligence services are likely responsible for the attacks, which occurred over the weekend.
Two separate incidents disrupted operations along the strategic Warsaw-Lublin railway route, which handles up to 115 trains daily carrying essential supplies to Ukraine. The first incident near the village of Mika involved an explosion that damaged railway tracks, with investigators concluding the blast was likely intended to derail or destroy a train.
A second incident occurred near Puławy, where damage to overhead power lines forced a passenger train carrying 475 people to make an emergency stop. Authorities are investigating reports of additional obstructions placed on the tracks during this incident. No injuries were reported in either case.
Security Services Minister Tomasz Siemoniak stated that evidence points toward involvement by foreign state actors rather than criminal groups. “We are dealing with the services of a foreign state, and not a gang of scrap metal thieves,” Siemoniak told reporters, adding that certain aspects of the investigation must remain confidential for operational security.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk condemned what he described as “an unprecedented act of sabotage aimed at the security of the Polish state and its citizens.” Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz announced that military units would inspect the remaining 120 kilometers of track leading to the Ukrainian border to check for additional threats.
While Polish officials have not formally attributed responsibility, the incidents follow months of heightened tensions and previous arrests of individuals allegedly conducting sabotage operations on behalf of foreign powers. Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek indicated perpetrators could face severe penalties, including life imprisonment, if convicted of attempting to cause a transportation disaster.
The European response has begun to take shape, with Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal expressing solidarity with Poland and calling for a unified NATO and EU response to hostile acts against member states.
The sabotage attempts come amid broader European discussions about security cooperation and support for Ukraine. In Paris, French and Ukrainian leaders announced strengthened defense agreements while emphasizing the importance of maintaining European unity against ongoing aggression.
