What do we know so far about Poland rail sabotage? — summary
Jakub Krupa
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Poland’s prime minister Donald Tusk condemned “an unprecedented act of sabotage aimed at the security of the Polish state and its citizens,” after two separate incidents were reported on a key railway line going towards Ukraine.
Special forces and police investigate at the scene of a destroyed section of railway tracks on the Dęblin-Warsaw route near the Mika railway station. Photograph: Przemysław Piątkowski/EPA
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In the first incident, reported on Sunday morning near the village of Mika, authorities confirmed damage to a section of track as a result of an explosion, with Tusk saying it was “mostly likely intended to blow up a train” on that route (10:41).
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Separately, a second incident was reported near Puławy on Sunday evening, where reported damage to the overhead line forced an emergency stop of a passenger train carrying 475 passengers, with further media reports of a possible obstruction on tracks. This event is being investigated and has not yet been formally confirmed as an act of sabotage.
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No injuries were reported in both incidents.
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Both incidents were reported on a critical railway line used for carrying aid deliveries for Ukraine.
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Poland’s defence minister, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, said the country’s armed forces would inspect the remaining 120km to the Polish-Ukrainian border to check for further obstructions or technical issues.
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Polish authorities have not attributed the responsibility for the sabotage to anyone, but in recent months Warsaw has criticised Russia for hybrid incidents targeting Poland, with 55 people arrested for illegal activities on Russia’s behalf, despite repeated denials by Moscow.
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Senior government ministers will give a press briefing with the latest on the investigation at 2pm local time (1pm London).
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Updated at 08.45 EST
Key events
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5m ago
‘We are dealing with foreign state services, not gang of scrap metal thieves,’ Poland’s security services minister says
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12m ago
Estonian PM says EU, Nato response to sabotage incidents ‘must be united’
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36m ago
Poland’s security services minister suggests foreign intelligence services behind sabotage
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43m ago
‘Two acts of sabotage this weekend,’ Polish interior minister says
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1h ago
Macron hopes for peace in Ukraine by end of term in 2027
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1h ago
Russia ‘does not want peace,’ Macron says
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2h ago
Zelenskyy, Macron speak to reporters in Paris
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2h ago
What do we know so far about Poland rail sabotage? — summary
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3h ago
Investigation under way into acts on sabotage on Polish rail line to Ukraine — in pictures
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3h ago
Germany’s Merz highlights challenges amid changing relations with US, China, and new emerging world order
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3h ago
‘Up to’ 100 Rafale fighter jets, air defence equipment, drones covered by letter of intent between Zelenskyy, Macron
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4h ago
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy lands in Paris to meet France’s Macron, discuss defence, energy cooperation
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4h ago
Polish army to inspect tracks towards Ukraine amid sabotage concerns, minister says
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4h ago
Russia could test Nato ‘during next two or four years,’ EU defence commissioner warns
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4h ago
Investigated sabotage ‘most likely intended to blow up’ train, Tusk says
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5h ago
‘Unprecedented act of sabotage’ aimed at Poland’s security, PM Tusk says
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5h ago
‘No doubt’ about sabotage, Poland’s interior minister says, with another part of same railway route also investigated
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5h ago
Morning opening: Poland confirms sabotage on railway
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‘We are dealing with foreign state services, not gang of scrap metal thieves,’ Poland’s security services minister says
Security services minister Siemoniak goes a bit further on his earlier comment (14:12), as he tells reporters that certain parts of the investigation need to remain confidential, as “we are dealing with the [intelligence] services of a foreign state, and not a gang of scrap metal thieves.”
He says authorities have two priorities: to keep people safe and to catch perpetrators, but this sometimes requires a bit of a delay before the general public learns about the latest findings of the investigators.
Siemoniak also appeared to hint that Poland could change – presumably raise – its threat level, saying a specialist committee would discuss and “pass its recommendations” to the prime minister later today.
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Estonian PM says EU, Nato response to sabotage incidents ‘must be united’
Estonian prime minister Kristen Michal is the first European leader to express solidarity with Poland, as he says:
“Estonia stands with Poland and @donaldtusk, strongly condemning the sabotage on the Warsaw–Lublin railway, vital for supporting Ukraine.
Those behind hostile acts against EU and Nato members must be exposed. Our response must be united.”
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Poland’s justice minister Waldemar Żurek says that current investigation is classifying the two incidents as “an attempt to cause a disaster in land traffic,” with perpetrators potentially facing at least 10 years in jail, and up to lifetime imprisonment.
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Updated at 08.33 EST
Poland’s security services minister suggests foreign intelligence services behind sabotage
Poland’s security services minister Tomasz Siemoniak says the threat is not entirely new, as Poland has seen repeated acts of sabotage since January 2024, with 55 people arrested so far.
But he says the incidents mark “a new stage of threatening the railway infrastructure.”
While he doesn’t attribute the incident to anyone, he does say that security services are involved in the investigation, because “it’s likely happening … on orders of foreign intelligence services.”
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‘Two acts of sabotage this weekend,’ Polish interior minister says
Poland’s interior minister Marcin Kierwiński is now briefing the media.
He speaks of the two incidents as “two acts of sabotage,” but – as per our summary (13:12) – then specifies that one of them has been formally confirmed as an act of sabotage, and the other one remains under investigation, but is considered to be “highly likely” an act of sabotage.
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Macron hopes for peace in Ukraine by end of term in 2027
Asked about his views about the prospects of peace in Ukraine, Macron says he hopes it will be achieved before the end of his term in 2027.
He highlights a few “real turning points” in recent months, as Ukraine’s allies aligned the US and European positions on Ukraine, and keep putting more pressure on Russia, including through sanctions on oil companies and more efforts against the Russian shadow fleet.
But he says that what’s needed next is a broader agreement guaranteeing “robust and lasting peace” in Ukraine, because “if Ukraine is not strong and credible, Russia will violate its commitments” again.
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Zelenskyy begins his comments with heartful thanks to Macron and the French people for their continuing help.
French President Emmanuel Macron (R) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attend a joint press conference at the Élysée Palace in Paris, France. Photograph: Sarah Meyssonnier/EPA
He says Ukraine can hope for a peaceful end to this conflict thanks to the continuing support from its allies, including France.
He says today’s agreement will add “effective, practical, strong” elements to Ukraine’s ability to defend itself, and strenghten its capabilities.
Zelenskyy also says the talks covered some discussion on how to restart peace talks on “creating the necessary conditions” for ending the war.
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Russia ‘does not want peace,’ Macron says
In his opening remarks, Macron says that Ukraine and its European allies are ready to take part in peace talks, but remarked that Russia keeps intensifying its attacks on Ukraine.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron (R) and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attend a joint press conference at the Elysee presidential Palace in Paris. Photograph: Sarah Meyssonnier/AFP/Getty Images
He says that continuing Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure show “that Russia does not want peace,” and will not stop its aggression.
“We remain determined, and we remain strong and united for peace. It’s all about not only about Ukraine security, but the security of all Europeans that is at stake,” he says.
He says the agreements signed today will help to strenghten the Ukrainian army at this critical point in the war.
He confirms the earlier reports that the deal includes Rafale fighter jets.
“We have shown that both on short term but also medium to long term, we’re ready to help Ukraine, whatever it takes,” he says.
The French president also mentions the on-going work on the EU’s reparation loan for Ukraine, and the use of other assets to help Kyiv.
“The EU will need to find ways to maintain Ukraine’s financial independence from now on, for the next few years, until this war settles,” he says, stressing this is important to send a signal to Russia’s Vladimir Putin that he “won’t be able to bet on Europe’s fatigue” with the war.
But he pointedly also says there is a clear need to fight against corruption, as he talks about the need to pursue the rule of law reforms as Ukraine continues its push to join the EU.
He says he has confidence in the determination of the Ukrainian people to pursue the necessary reforms, and in Zelenskyy’s ability to do so.
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Zelenskyy, Macron speak to reporters in Paris
Meanwhile over in Paris, Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France’s Emmanuel Macron are speaking to reporters, after a brief delay caused by a technical issue with the interpretation …
I will bring you all the key lines here.
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A summary of what we know about the Polish rail sabotage is now pinned at the top of this page.
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What do we know so far about Poland rail sabotage? — summary
Jakub Krupa
-
Poland’s prime minister Donald Tusk condemned “an unprecedented act of sabotage aimed at the security of the Polish state and its citizens,” after two separate incidents were reported on a key railway line going towards Ukraine.
Special forces and police investigate at the scene of a destroyed section of railway tracks on the Dęblin-Warsaw route near the Mika railway station. Photograph: Przemysław Piątkowski/EPA
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In the first incident, reported on Sunday morning near the village of Mika, authorities confirmed damage to a section of track as a result of an explosion, with Tusk saying it was “mostly likely intended to blow up a train” on that route (10:41).
-
Separately, a second incident was reported near Puławy on Sunday evening, where reported damage to the overhead line forced an emergency stop of a passenger train carrying 475 passengers, with further media reports of a possible obstruction on tracks. This event is being investigated and has not yet been formally confirmed as an act of sabotage.
-
No injuries were reported in both incidents.
-
Both incidents were reported on a critical railway line used for carrying aid deliveries for Ukraine.
-
Poland’s defence minister, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, said the country’s armed forces would inspect the remaining 120km to the Polish-Ukrainian border to check for further obstructions or technical issues.
-
Polish authorities have not attributed the responsibility for the sabotage to anyone, but in recent months Warsaw has criticised Russia for hybrid incidents targeting Poland, with 55 people arrested for illegal activities on Russia’s behalf, despite repeated denials by Moscow.
-
Senior government ministers will give a press briefing with the latest on the investigation at 2pm local time (1pm London).
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Updated at 08.45 EST
We should get an update on the Polish rail sabotage investigation at 2pm Warsaw time (1pm London), when we are expecting a joint press conference of interior, justice, infrastructure and security services ministers.
I will keep an eye on this for you.
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Investigation under way into acts on sabotage on Polish rail line to Ukraine — in pictures
Polish prime minister Donald Tusk visits the site of a blast on railway of the Warsaw-Lublin line in Mika, Poland. Photograph: KPRM/ReutersSpecial forces and police investigate at the scene of a destroyed section of railway tracks on the Deblin-Warsaw route near the Mika railway station, central Poland. Photograph: Przemysław Piątkowski/EPASpecial forces and police investigate at the scene of a destroyed section of railway tracks on the Deblin-Warsaw route near the Mika railway station, central Poland. Photograph: Przemysław Piątkowski/EPAShare
