Poland investigates explosion on strategic rail route carrying weapons to Ukraine
Illustrative photo: Another act of sabotage on the aid route to Ukraine was recorded in Poland (GettyImages)
The Polish government has reported new acts of sabotage on the key Warsaw–Lublin railway line, which is also used to transport weapons to Ukraine, Rzeczpospolita reports.
On Sunday, damage caused by an explosion was discovered on the tracks in the village of Mika (Garwolin County, Masovian Voivodeship), and two more suspicious incidents were recorded within 24 hours.
On Monday, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński, Minister for Special Services Coordination Tomasz Siemoniak, and police leadership visited the site. At a special press conference, the government announced a large-scale operation to identify the organizers and executors of the sabotage.
Tusk confirmed that an explosive device had damaged the tracks on the Warsaw–Lublin route.
"There is no doubt that we are dealing with an act of sabotage. The explosion was most likely intended to blow up a train traveling along the route used to transport weapons to Ukraine," Tusk said.
He added that a tragedy was avoided, but the situation is "extremely serious."
Two more incidents on the same line
Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński reported two additional cases recorded on Sunday evening:
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Damage to power lines over a 60-meter stretch;
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A metal clamp was placed on the rails, which had already been run over by passing trains.
The authorities are treating these incidents as "very likely acts of sabotage," but investigations are ongoing. Kierwiński noted that a large amount of evidence has been collected at the scenes - CCTV footage and physical evidence that should help identify those involved.
Security services, police, the Prosecutor's Office, and special coordinators are working in full cooperation. The Prosecutor General has already created a joint investigative team.
According to the outlet, local residents reported a loud explosion on Saturday evening, but a nighttime inspection did not reveal damage. On Sunday morning, a train driver was the first to spot the gap in the tracks.
Rail explosion in Poland
Poland discovered damaged railway tracks along a key route leading to the Ukrainian border. A train driver noticed the damaged infrastructure near PKP Mika station in the area of Życzyn, Garwolin County, Masovian Voivodeship.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk later confirmed that the tracks on the Warsaw–Lublin route used to deliver aid to Ukraine had been damaged by an explosive device. Ukrainian Railways clarified that, according to the Polish side, an explosive device detonated on the stretch, damaging the track.
Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said that the Polish army will inspect the remaining 120 kilometers of rail leading to the Ukrainian border to prevent further incidents.
