Image: from Jürgen Nauditt X@jurgen_nauditt
By Emma Cole | Staff Writer with Agencies
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed in a statement to the Sejm (lower house of parliament) that recent railway sabotage in Poland, which occurred on November 16, was carried out by two Ukrainian citizens acting under orders from Russia. The individuals are suspected of collaborating with Russian intelligence services and entered Poland via Belarus.
Tusk revealed that the suspects had been involved in sabotage activities for some time, with one of them convicted in May 2025 by a Ukrainian court for acts of sabotage in Ukraine. This individual resides in Belarus, while the other suspect hails from the Donbas region. The two are believed to have crossed into Poland shortly before the sabotage occurred.
The incident, which involved an explosion that damaged railway tracks on the Warsaw-Lublin line near the village of Mika (about 100 km from Warsaw), was quickly identified as a deliberate act of sabotage. According to reports, the line is critical for transporting supplies to Ukraine, making it a high-priority target.
The sabotage was first discovered when a train driver on the Warsaw-Lublin line reported damage to the tracks. Police later determined that an explosive device had damaged the tracks. Upon further investigation, authorities discovered a second unexploded device nearby. The discovery raised serious concerns, as the potential consequences of a derailment could have resulted in significant loss of life. Tusk described the sabotage attempts as “carefully planned” and said the damage could have led to a “serious disaster with victims.”
According to Tusk, the first attempt involved the installation of a steel clamp on the tracks, designed to derail an approaching train. The act was reportedly recorded on a mobile phone with a power bank placed nearby. The second attempt was more sophisticated, with a military-grade C4 explosive charge detonated using an initiating device connected by a 300-meter-long electrical cable.
Polish authorities believe the sabotage was organized by Russian special services, which have previously attempted to disrupt Poland’s security and society. Jacek Dobrzyński, the spokesman for the Minister Coordinator for Special Services, said that Polish law enforcement, including the Internal Security Agency (ABW), is actively securing evidence, verifying information, and continuing the investigation. He cautioned journalists to be careful when reporting on the issue, as Russia is known for spreading disinformation and attempting to create fear and chaos.
“The Russian services want to disrupt our society, to scare us. I assure you that our officers are keeping an eye on this matter and will fully investigate it,” Dobrzyński said in his statement.
In response to the sabotage, Poland has raised its terrorism alert level to Level 2 of four. Some railway lines have been placed on a higher alert, with additional security measures implemented to prevent further attacks.
A meeting of the Polish National Security Committee, called by Prime Minister Tusk, took place on November 18 to discuss the incident. Authorities are continuing their efforts to track down any other potential perpetrators and uncover the full scope of the sabotage.
While the investigation continues, the sabotage has heightened concerns about the safety and security of critical infrastructure in Poland, especially in light of the country’s support for Ukraine in the ongoing conflict with Russia. The sabotage on the Warsaw-Lublin railway line highlights the vulnerability of Poland’s transport network to acts of disruption, which could have far-reaching consequences for both the country and the region.
On the same day as the railway sabotage, reports surfaced of another possible incident involving damage to overhead power lines in the city of Puławy. While authorities have not yet confirmed whether this was related to the same sabotage efforts, it adds to growing concerns over coordinated attacks on Polish infrastructure.
As Poland continues to investigate these acts of sabotage, the authorities are focused on maintaining security and preventing further attempts to disrupt vital transportation routes. The nation’s vigilance will remain high as it grapples with the ongoing threats posed by external actors seeking to destabilize the region.
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