Poland’s prime minister has condemned an explosion on a major railway line as “an unprecedented act of sabotage”, heightening concerns about targeted hybrid attacks on critical infrastructure.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk visited the damaged site near Mika on Monday, confirming that the blast, discovered early Sunday morning, was intentional. He expressed relief that no passengers or staff were harmed, noting that the attack appeared aimed at blowing up the train.
After an emergency security meeting in Warsaw, Special Services Minister Tomasz Siemoniak said there was a “very high chance” the explosion was ordered by “foreign services”. Although he did not directly name Russia, officials linked the incident to a pattern of sabotage Poland attributes to Moscow’s hybrid warfare tactics.
The explosion struck the Warsaw–Lublin route, a critical corridor for transporting humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine. Photographs from the scene show a missing section of track. A train driver making a routine journey spotted the damage and conducted an emergency stop.
Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński confirmed the use of explosives, while residents reported hearing a loud blast the previous evening. One local described windows shaking and buildings trembling several kilometres away.
Investigators are also examining a second suspected sabotage attempt further along the same line, where a packed train was forced to stop suddenly. Authorities said the two events may signal a new phase of attacks on the country’s railway infrastructure.
The government faces questions over how several trains passed over the damaged rails before the line was inspected. Officials defended their response, insisting the reaction was swift and criticism unfounded.
Poland has endured numerous hybrid attacks in recent years, including arson, parcel bombings, and espionage attempts. Several incidents have been linked to groups allegedly recruited through Telegram accounts believed to be run by Russian intelligence.
In one high-profile case, a Russian national extradited from Bosnia is awaiting trial for organising parcel bombs sent from Lithuania, one of which exploded near Warsaw. Another detonated in a UK warehouse.
Experts quoted by Polish media suggest the sabotage may have sought to psychologically intimidate Poland by derailing a train rather than destroying it outright. Justice Minister Adam Bodnar vowed stringent prosecutions, stating there was “no place on earth” the culprits could hide.
As investigators analyse camera footage and physical evidence, authorities warn that the attack represents a serious escalation, targeting not only infrastructure but also Poland’s role as a vital lifeline for Ukraine.
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