Poland probes twin rail sabotage amid rising tensions

Russia behind the two sabotage acts?

On Tuesday, Poland PM provided more details. A spokesman for Poland’s special services declared that “everything points to them being Russian special services“. Under investigations are two Ukrainian suspects who work for Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov rejected Poland’s allegation, speaking of “Russophobia”.

The damaged section, near the village of Mika about 100 km from the capital, was detected early Sunday after a train driver was forced to make an emergency stop to avoid the damaged structure. Residents reported hearing a powerful late-night blast that shook nearby buildings.

After an emergency meeting in Warsaw, officials said there was a “very high probability” that the sabotage was directed by a foreign intelligence service. While not naming Russia, security officials noted that Poland has faced a series of arson, parcel bomb, and cyber-related incidents in recent years that Warsaw attributes to Moscow’s hybrid warfare efforts. Several suspects, including a Russian national extradited from Bosnia, are awaiting trial for previous sabotage acts in the country.

Authorities are also probing a second event along the same Warsaw–Lublin line on Sunday, when another train was forced to stop abruptly. Investigators believe it was a deliberate act of sabotage, though it did not involve explosives. The rail corridor is one of Europe’s most important land routes for military equipment and humanitarian aid bound for Ukraine, as well as a major civilian transit link.

Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński confirmed that the use of explosives in the first blast is “beyond any doubt.” Police have collected extensive evidence, including security-camera footage, but no arrests have been made.

Disrupted rail traffic between Warsaw and Lublin

Some security analysts believe the goal of the rail blast was psychological, aiming to intimidate Poland and disrupt support for Ukraine.

Rail traffic on the Warsaw–Lublin line remains disrupted after the blast, with trains forced onto a single operational track in the affected area, creating delays and complicating scheduling.

The two separate incidents—the explosion that tore apart part of the rail and the damage to overhead power lines—have heightened safety concerns along the corridor to Ukraine.

Repair work is underway, with emergency crews and prosecutors securing and examining the site, while Polish rail company PKP PLK coordinates track and power-line restoration, though no full-service timeline has been announced.

In a broader security response, the Polish military has been deployed to inspect a 120-kilometer stretch of the Warsaw–Lublin–Hrubieszów route to detect any additional threats and prevent further sabotage. Officials stress that both the repair effort and the expanded security sweep are being treated as priorities.

Donald Tuskalso said that an order will be issued to raise the alert level on certain railway lines. While Russia ministry of defense declared there had been “no plans” to target facilities on Polish territory.