A railway line between the Polish cities of Warsaw and Lublin was destroyed in an “unprecedented sabotage” over the weekend, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Monday, calling the line “crucial for delivering aid to Ukraine.”
Tusk said in a post on X that “explosives” had blown up the railroad tracks on Sunday, adding that the attack “directly (targeted) the security of the Polish state and civilians.”
He said destruction was also found further downstream on the railway line along the same route.
At a press conference Monday afternoon, Poland’s Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński said two separate incidents occurred over the weekend, one confirmed to be sabotage and the other considered “very likely” sabotage. No arrests have been made so far in connection with this incident.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the threat to Europe’s security was “real and growing”. The continent “urgently needs to strengthen its capabilities to protect its skies and infrastructure,” she said.
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal strongly condemned the damage to the railway tracks and wrote to X that her country supports Poland.
“Those behind hostilities against (European Union) and NATO member states must be exposed. Our response must be united,” Michal said.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sibikha also expressed solidarity with Poland and offered assistance if necessary, and suggested that Russia may have been involved in the incident.
“We hope that the investigation will provide answers, and we stand ready to assist if requested,” Sibiha said. “It could have been another hybrid attack by Russia, to test their response. If that’s true, Russia must be strong.”
Mr. Tusk did not say who was responsible for the damage, but vowed that his country would “apprehend whoever is responsible.”
Tusk said the explosion, which caused no injuries, was the latest in a series of incidents that have kept continental Europe on high alert.
Several European countries have reported airspace violations in recent months, with most blaming Russia. The Kremlin denies involvement.
Earlier this month, the European Commission adopted stricter rules for issuing visas to Russian citizens, citing security risks related to Russia’s war with Ukraine.
“We are now facing unprecedented drone sabotage and sabotage on our soil. We have a duty to protect our people,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Callas said in a statement.
A research paper by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) suggested that Russia is conducting a “campaign of sabotage, sabotage, espionage, and covert action” to destabilize European governments.
The IISS said incidents included in the alleged activity include intentional damage to undersea cables, targeting of communications towers, and arson plots.
In an interview with Polsat News on Sunday, Poland’s Deputy Interior Minister Maciej Duszczyk said the country has been facing various acts of sabotage for some time, according to the Polish Press Agency (PAP).
Last year, a huge fire destroyed a shopping center in Warsaw. Polish authorities said in May that the fires were the result of arson on the orders of Russian intelligence, but Russia has previously denied allegations that it orchestrated arson and sabotage across Europe.
“Someone must have damaged the tracks,” Duszczyk said, but warned against immediately pointing the finger at Russia, PAP reported.
“Russia is not so strong that all the arson and all these kinds of situations are caused by Russia. But this can never be ruled out or underestimated,” he said, according to PAP.
Polish politician Tomasz Siemoniak told the X program that the country’s internal security service was investigating the matter in cooperation with the police, public prosecutor’s office and railway authorities.
Tusk said the Polish National Security Committee will hold a meeting on Tuesday morning, attended by military commanders, service chiefs and presidential representatives.
This story has been updated with additional developments.
