Polish authorities have identified individuals involved in sabotage on a railway line leading to Ukraine, confirming that the suspects are Ukrainian nationals, according to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
Notably, one of the suspects had been convicted by a Lviv court in May for “sabotage activities on Ukrainian territory.” The Prime Minister declined to provide further personal details, citing the ongoing investigation.
"Two Ukrainian citizens are responsible for the recent acts of railway sabotage," Tusk said.
Explosives and attempted damage
According to Tusk, C-4 type explosives were used in the railway attack. The bomb was detonated as a freight train traveling the Warsaw-Pulawy route passed the site.
"The train did not derail; only the floor of one wagon suffered minor damage. The train driver did not even notice that anything had happened," the Prime Minister stated.
Tusk added that after the incidents, the suspects fled Poland through the Terespol border crossing with Belarus. He also alleged, without evidence, that the Ukrainians were cooperating with Russian intelligence. In response, Tusk instructed Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski to request the extradition of the suspects from Belarus and Russia.
Poland and Ukraine accuse Russia
The two acts of railway sabotage in Poland occurred near the towns of Plawny and Mika, close to the Ukrainian border. No injuries were reported. Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz blamed Russia, stating that the investigation would ultimately confirm the perpetrators, but all signs point eastward.
"Analyzing these and other incidents in Poland and Europe, all traces lead to Russia," he said.
Polish intelligence also claimed that Russian involvement was suspected in the railway explosions.
"All indications suggest that Russian intelligence ordered the sabotage on the railway," said a Polish emergency services representative in a conversation with Reuters.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha expressed solidarity with Poland and offered assistance in the investigation. He suggested that the incidents near Plawny and Mika could constitute “hybrid attacks” by Russia and urged Poland to respond decisively.
