Poland Accuses Russian Agents from Ukraine of Sabotaging Vital Warsaw Rail Line: PM Tusk's Statement
The explosion took place on the tracks near the village of Mika, approximately 100 kilometers from the Polish capital. The damaged line is part of the crucial Warsaw-Lublin route, which connects Warsaw with the Ukrainian border—a close partner of Poland.
"The explosion was most likely intended to blow up a train," Tusk stated on Monday (Nov 17), as quoted by Al Jazeera.
🇷🇺 Russian Agents Allegedly Acting on Foreign Intelligence Orders
The following day, Tusk confirmed that the two Ukrainian individuals were accused of "acting on Russian intelligence instructions to damage the rail line leading to the Ukrainian border." He added that the Polish government would not disclose the identities of the perpetrators until the investigation progresses further.
According to information from prosecutors and investigators, the two individuals "have been operating and cooperating with Russian services for a long time."
The two suspects reportedly entered Poland from Belarus this autumn and quickly left the country back towards Belarus after the sabotage incident.
In a separate but related case, power lines were also destroyed in the Pulawy region, about 50 kilometers from Lublin.
⚖️ Investigation into Terrorist Sabotage
Prosecutors in Poland are investigating acts of terrorist sabotage against the railway infrastructure carried out for the benefit of foreign intelligence. Authorities stated, "These actions trigger the danger of a land traffic accident that endangers the lives, health of people, and significant property."
One of the alleged perpetrators is suspected to be a Ukrainian national who was previously convicted of sabotage by a court in Lviv this past May. The other perpetrator hails from Donbas, a region of Ukraine currently controlled by Russia.
Damage at both locations has been repaired, and no injuries were reported. These incidents occur amid a rise in fires, sabotage, and attacks across Poland and other European nations since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
In total, 55 people have been detained and 23 of them arrested in connection with various acts of sabotage in Poland.
🗣️ Russian Reaction: Accusations of "Russophobia"
Prime Minister Tusk's statement immediately drew a sharp reaction from the Kremlin. Russian Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accused the Polish government of exhibiting "Russophobia."
"Russia is being accused of all forms of hybrid warfare and ongoing attacks," Peskov told Russian state television journalists. "In Poland, all parties are trying to be faster than some other European countries in this regard. And Russophobia, of course, is thriving there."
Poland has, in recent years, limited the activities of Russian diplomats on its territory and closed two Russian consulates in response to escalating tensions in the relationship.
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