Polish Military Investigates Rail Sabotage Incidents on Ukraine Route

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed on November 17 that an explosive device destroyed railway track on the Warsaw-Lublin line near the village of Mika, calling it “an unprecedented act of sabotage” aimed at the Polish state. The blast, discovered November 17 approximately 100 kilometers southeast of Warsaw, caused no casualties but damaged critical infrastructure used for transporting military aid to Ukraine.

Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz announced military forces will examine approximately 120 kilometers of track extending to the Ukrainian border at Hrubieszów. Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński stated authorities are investigating two separate incidents along the same route—one confirmed sabotage, another deemed highly probable.

Sabotage on a vital rail link

The Warsaw-Lublin line serves as a primary logistics corridor for Western military assistance to Ukraine, with Poland operating a major hub in Rzeszów since Russia’s February 2022 invasion. Poland has positioned itself as one of Kyiv’s staunchest allies, delivering large volumes of weapons and gear while pushing for Ukraine’s NATO accession.

Polish prosecutors classified the incident as terrorism potentially conducted at the behest of a foreign power, though authorities have not formally attributed responsibility. Tusk stated investigators will pursue perpetrators regardless of origin. Numerous European countries, including Poland, have been targeted by hybrid warfare techniques including sabotage, cyberattacks, espionage and arson, with security services believing these are largely inspired by Moscow.

Poland’s National Security Committee convened November 18 with military commanders and intelligence chiefs to assess the incident. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha expressed solidarity and offered investigative assistance, suggesting the attack could represent another Russian hybrid operation designed to test NATO responses.

The sabotage occurs amid escalating tensions along NATO’s eastern flank, with Polish authorities detaining dozens of individuals on espionage and sabotage charges since 2022. Poland shares a 535-kilometer border with Ukraine and has served as the primary conduit for allied military assistance throughout the conflict.