Two individuals from Ukraine, employed by Russia, are suspected of causing an explosion on a railway line in Poland, as announced by Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Tuesday. Tusk informed the Sejm, the Polish parliament’s lower house, that the suspects had been in collaboration with Russian secret services for an extended period. Although their identities are known, they cannot be disclosed due to ongoing investigations. Both suspects have already departed Poland.
Describing the incident as an unparalleled act of sabotage, Tusk highlighted the explosion that occurred on a railway connecting Warsaw, Poland’s capital, to the Ukrainian border. Additionally, authorities in Poland have confirmed another incident of sabotage involving damaged power lines on a different section of the same railway further south.
Responding to Polish accusations linking two Ukrainian nationals working for Russia to the railway sabotage, Russia’s presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov expressed that it would be unsurprising for Russia to be implicated first. Peskov stated that Russia is often held responsible for various forms of warfare in Poland, attributing it to Russophobia prevailing in the region.
According to Western officials, Russia and its allies have been behind numerous attacks and incidents across Europe since the invasion of Ukraine over three years ago. The goal, as indicated by Western sources, is to destabilize support for Ukraine, instill fear, and create division within European societies.
In response to the incidents, Polish prosecutors have launched an investigation into acts of sabotage with a terrorist motive targeting railway infrastructure for the benefit of foreign intelligence. Prosecutors emphasized that these actions posed an immediate risk of a significant traffic disaster, endangering lives, health, and property on a large scale.
A meeting of the National Security Committee, involving military leaders, intelligence heads, and a presidential representative, convened earlier on Tuesday to address the situation. Army patrols have been dispatched to ensure the safety of railways and critical infrastructure in the eastern part of the country.
The damage caused by the explosion near Mika village and the destruction of power lines in Puławy has been repaired following the incidents. Passenger trains were halted at both locations, but fortunately, there were no injuries reported. Tusk indicated that the explosion near Mika was likely intended to target a passing train.
