Polish authorities are preparing to press charges against two individuals from Ukraine for committing a terrorist-style act of sabotage allegedly on behalf of Russia. This incident involved an explosion on a Polish rail line that was carrying aid to Ukraine. The suspects reportedly fled to Belarus after carrying out the attack and are believed to have had a longstanding collaboration with Russian intelligence services.
In connection to the railway explosion, Polish prosecutors have detained several other individuals aside from the charged Ukrainians. The explosion, which occurred on a Sunday night, was reported by a train driver who noticed damage on the railway line. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the explosion.
Describing the incident as an “unprecedented act of sabotage,” Poland’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister condemned it as an “act of state terror.” The explosion took place near the village of Mika in east-central Poland, approximately 100 kilometers southeast of Warsaw. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy expressed his belief in a “Russian link” to the sabotage and pledged full cooperation with Poland in the investigation.
Following the incident, Ukraine announced the formation of a joint Polish-Ukrainian group to counter Russian sabotage. Polish authorities have also mobilized up to 10,000 soldiers to bolster security around vital infrastructure across the country. In response to the attack, Poland’s foreign minister announced the closure of the last remaining Russian consulate in Gdansk, citing a deteriorating relationship between the two countries.
As a reaction to Poland’s decision, Moscow declared plans to reduce Poland’s diplomatic and consular presence in Russia. The Russian embassy in Warsaw remains operational, despite the closure of the consulates in Krakow and Poznan in recent years. Kremlin officials expressed regret over the strained relations with Poland, emphasizing the Polish authorities’ apparent desire to sever consular and diplomatic ties completely.