Two individuals from Ukraine employed by Russia are suspected of causing an explosion on a railway line in Poland, as stated by Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Tuesday. Tusk revealed in the Polish parliament that the suspects had been collaborating with Russian secret services for an extended period. While their identities are known, they cannot be disclosed to the public due to ongoing investigations. The two suspects have already left Poland.
The incident on the rail line connecting Warsaw to the Ukrainian border has been labeled by Tusk as an unprecedented act of sabotage. Additionally, Polish authorities have confirmed another act of sabotage on power lines along a different section of the same rail line further south.
In response to Polish allegations implicating two Ukrainian nationals working for Russia in the railway sabotage, Russia’s presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed the claims, citing Russia’s consistent blame in such situations. Peskov criticized the accusations of Russophobia and attributed them to ongoing tensions between the two countries.
Western officials have accused Russia and its allies of orchestrating numerous attacks and incidents across Europe since the invasion of Ukraine over three years ago. The objective, according to Western officials, is to erode support for Ukraine, instill fear, and sow discord within European societies.
Following the incidents, Polish prosecutors have launched an investigation into acts of sabotage of a terrorist nature targeting railway infrastructure on behalf of foreign intelligence services. The prosecutors emphasized the immediate peril posed by these actions to land traffic, lives, health, and property on a large scale.
To ensure the safety of railways and critical infrastructure in the eastern part of the country, army patrols have been dispatched as confirmed by the defense minister. The Polish National Security Committee convened earlier in the day with military leaders, intelligence heads, and a presidential representative in attendance.
The first incident, involving an explosion near Mika village southeast of Warsaw, and the destruction of power lines near Puławy, about 50 kilometers from Lublin, caused disruptions to train services without injuries. The damaged infrastructure has since been repaired following the incidents.