Key points: Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk says two Ukrainian nationals tied to Russian intelligence are suspected of conducting explosive sabotage on a rail line linking Warsaw to the Ukrainian border; both suspects have left Poland. A separate sabotage incident damaged power lines on the same route. Prosecutors launched a terrorism-style investigation, army patrols have been deployed to inspect eastern infrastructure, and repairs at Mika and Puławy are complete; no casualties were reported.
Poland: Two Ukrainians Linked to Russian Intelligence Suspected in Rail Sabotage — No Injuries Reported
Key points: Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk says two Ukrainian nationals tied to Russian intelligence are suspected of conducting explosive sabotage on a rail line linking Warsaw to the Ukrainian border; both suspects have left Poland. A separate sabotage incident damaged power lines on the same route. Prosecutors launched a terrorism-style investigation, army patrols have been deployed to inspect eastern infrastructure, and repairs at Mika and Puławy are complete; no casualties were reported.
08:10 PM, 11/18/2025Security
Poland Investigates Sabotage on Warsaw–Ukraine Rail Link
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk told the Sejm on Tuesday that two Ukrainian citizens with long-standing ties to Russian intelligence services are suspected of detonating explosives on a railway line over the weekend. Authorities say the suspects' identities are known but are being withheld while investigations continue; both have left Poland.
Tusk described the blast on the line that connects Warsaw with the Ukrainian border as an "unprecedented act of sabotage." In a separate incident on the same route farther south, officials confirmed deliberate damage to overhead power lines.
A meeting of the government's National Security Committee — attended by military commanders, intelligence chiefs and a presidential representative — was convened to coordinate the response. Prosecutors have opened an inquiry into "acts of sabotage of a terrorist nature" carried out for the benefit of foreign intelligence, saying the attacks created a serious risk of a major land-traffic disaster and threatened lives, health and property on a large scale.
The first explosion damaged tracks near the village of Mika, about 100 kilometres (60 miles) southeast of Warsaw. Separately, power lines were destroyed near Puławy, roughly 50 kilometres (30 miles) from Lublin. Passenger trains were halted at both sites; there were no injuries and repairs at both locations have been completed.
"The explosion was most likely intended to blow up the train," Tusk said in reference to the Mika incident.
Poland has dispatched army patrols to inspect railways and other critical infrastructure in the eastern regions while investigations continue. Authorities have emphasized the ongoing nature of the probe and limited public disclosure of specific investigative details to protect operational security.