The rail link between Warsaw and Lublin, which is crucial for delivering aid to Ukraine, was destroyed over the weekend as part of an ‘unprecedented act of sabotage,’ Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Monday.
“The rail link between Warsaw and Lublin was destroyed over the weekend as part of an ‘unprecedented act of sabotage,’ and the railway line is ‘crucial for delivering aid to Ukraine’.”
– Donald Tusk
According to him, on Sunday an explosive device detonated the railway track, and the attack itself “directly targeted the security of the Polish state and its citizens” – another confirmation of threats linked to maintaining stability in the region.
There were also damages along the same route further along the line, indicating the scale of the damage.
“We will catch those responsible, whoever they are,” the leader promised.
The blast, according to Tusk, did not cause injuries, but became the latest episode in a chain of events in Europe that keep the continent on high alert.
Several European countries have recently reported breaches of their airspace, with most attributed to Russia. The Kremlin denies involvement.
Earlier this month the European Commission introduced stricter visa rules for Russian citizens, citing security risks associated with Russia’s war against Ukraine.
“We are currently facing unprecedented disruption to drone operations and sabotage on our soil. We are obliged to protect our citizens.”
– Kaja Kallas
A research document by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) suggests that Russia is conducting a “campaign of sabotage, vandalism, espionage and covert actions” aimed at destabilizing European governments.
According to IISS, this alleged campaign includes deliberate damage to submarine cables, targeted attacks on telecommunications towers, and arson.
On Sunday in an interview with Polsat News, Poland’s Deputy Interior Minister Maciej Duszczyk said that his country has long been facing various forms of sabotage, according to the Polish Press Agency (PAP).
Last year in Warsaw, a major fire destroyed a shopping mall. In May, Polish authorities said it was arson organized by Russian intelligence services, though Russia had previously denied involvement in arsons and sabotage operations across Europe.
Although “someone must have caused damage” to the railway section, Duszczyk warned not to rush to accusations against Russia, PAP reports.
“Russia is not powerful enough to have provoked every arson or every such incident. However, it cannot be completely ruled out or underestimated.”
– Maciej Duszczyk
In the country, the Internal Security Agency works together with the police, the prosecutor’s office and railway services to investigate the case, Tomasz Siemoniak said on X.