Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has called an explosion on a railway line used for deliveries to Ukraine an “unprecedented act of sabotage” that could have ended in disaster.
No one was hurt in the incident on the Warsaw to Lublin route, but the outcome might have been catastrophic if a high-speed train had derailed due to the damaged track.
“Unfortunately, there’s no doubt this was sabotage. Luckily, no tragedy occurred, but the situation is still very serious,” Tusk stated on Monday after visiting the site near the village of Mika, about 60 miles from Warsaw.
He described the attack as an effort to undermine and destroy railway infrastructure that could have caused a major rail accident.
Tusk mentioned that Polish authorities are investigating this blast and another suspected sabotage incident over the weekend. “As in past cases, we will find those responsible, no matter who is behind them,” he affirmed.
Police received a report of an explosion late Saturday, but initial checks found nothing. The damaged track was discovered early Sunday by a regional train driver who managed to stop just in time. According to Poland’s Gazeta Wyborcza, three other trains had passed the same spot without trouble.
Dariusz Grajda, deputy CEO of Polish State Railways, explained that one of the earlier trains had reported a track issue, so the train that stopped had been warned and was moving slowly enough to halt safely.
In a separate incident near Puławy on Sunday evening, a train carrying 475 passengers made an emergency stop due to damaged overhead power lines, with reports of a metal device found on the tracks. No injuries occurred, and it hasn’t been officially labeled sabotage yet.
Lublin police reported that windows in one carriage were broken and that investigations are ongoing.
Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz announced the army will inspect the remaining 75 miles of track to the Ukrainian border for safety.
This attack is part of a broader sabotage campaign in Poland and other European countries, attributed to Russian security services aiming to disrupt support for Ukraine. Incidents in Poland have included fires and explosions at malls and other locations, often carried out by Ukrainians, Belarusians, or Poles recruited via Telegram for one-off tasks.
Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński noted on social media that Poland is experiencing acts of sabotage unlike any in its recent history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about Donald Tusks statement regarding the railway explosion in Poland designed to be clear and helpful for a general audience
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 What exactly did Donald Tusk say happened
Donald Tusk the Prime Minister of Poland stated that a recent explosion damaging a railway line was an unprecedented act of sabotage
2 What does sabotage mean in this context
Sabotage means someone intentionally and illegally damaged the railway to disrupt train services cause fear or send a political message It was not an accident
3 Where and when did this railway explosion happen
The incident occurred on a key railway line in southwestern Poland near the town of Nowa Sól in late May 2024
4 Why is this being called unprecedented
Its called unprecedented because while Poland has faced various threats a deliberate highimpact attack on such a critical piece of national infrastructure is a new and serious escalation
5 Was anyone hurt in the explosion
Fortunately no injuries were reported as a result of the explosion
IntermediateLevel Questions
6 What makes this event so significant
This event is significant because it represents a direct attack on Polands critical national infrastructure As a key NATO and EU member on the border with Ukraine any sabotage raises major concerns about regional security and hybrid warfare tactics
7 Who does Poland suspect is responsible for the sabotage
While a formal investigation is ongoing Polish authorities have not publicly named a specific state or group However the context suggests they are looking at the possibility of foreign involvement potentially linked to Russian or proRussian interests
8 What is hybrid warfare and how does this relate
Hybrid warfare is a strategy that blends conventional military tactics with cyberattacks disinformation and covert sabotage This railway explosion is a classic example of a physical sabotage act that could be part of a broader hybrid campaign to destabilize a country without declaring open war
9 How is Poland responding to this act of sabotage
Poland has launched a major criminal investigation increased security around critical infrastructure sites and is working closely with international allies including NATO to address the threat
10 What impact did this have on train travel
The explosion caused significant delays and cancellations on
