On the morning of Monday, November 17th the Polish prime minister visited the site of a blast, saying that the damage to the tracks was deliberate and likely intended to derail the train.
Later in Warsaw, the minister for special services said there was a “very high probability” that the explosion had been carried out on the orders of “foreign services.” While not mentioning Russia by name, the comments were informed by Poland suffering a number of major arson and sabotage attacks in recent years—including parcel bombs—which Warsaw sees as part of Moscow’s hybrid war against the West.
Investigators are also examining a second incident that occurred on the same line on Sunday. Photographs taken near Mika, about 100 km Southeast of Warsaw, show that a section of track was blown away. There were only two passengers and a few crew members on board, and no one was injured. By Monday, the interior minister confirmed that explosives had “undoubtedly” been used and that local residents had heard a blast.
The investigation is still underway. According to experts quoted in the Polish media, the aim was likely psychological: the explosives were intended to derail the train rather than destroy it, in order to deter Poland from supporting Ukraine.
Poland’s rail network is critical for military supply lines to neighbouring Ukraine and provides an essential route for civilians moving in and out of the country.
Last month Polish authorities arrested eight people across the country on suspicion of preparing acts of sabotage.
