As the spokesperson for the Polish MFA Maciej Vevor reports, transmitted by the Polish Press Agency
The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs handed a note to the chargé d’affaires of Belarus, demanding the extradition of two Ukrainians suspected of sabotaging the Polish railway. This was announced by the Polish MFA spokesperson Maciej Vevyor, according to Polska Agencja Prasowa. Warsaw asserts that the Ukrainians acted at the request of Russian security services. It is also known that Poland is closing the Russian consulate in Gdańsk until December 23 due to attacks on railway infrastructure.
On November 17, a sabotage incident was recorded on the Dęblin–Warsaw section near the localities of Mika and near Puławy. The explosive device destroyed the railway track; the section leads to the border with Ukraine. The prosecutor’s office is investigating the case as terrorism. During the night of November 18, traffic was resumed on two tracks.
Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz stated that Territorial Defense forces would patrol the railway infrastructure. He also noted that the Polish authorities link the explosions to the activities of Russian security services.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the blast as an unprecedented act of sabotage. In subsequent statements he noted that Poland identified two Ukrainians involved in the railway sabotage; they are allegedly linked to Russian security services, and they have left for Belarus.
The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that these sabotage incidents will not affect the level of support for Ukraine. The prosecutor’s office is investigating the incident as terrorism and possible work for a foreign intelligence service. On November 19, Zelenskiy stated that Ukraine and Poland would form a group to prevent rail sabotage. According to Zelenskiy, during a conversation with Tusk he shared data from Polish law enforcement and intelligence about the recent events. Ukrzaliznytsia will also join the work of the joint Ukrainian-Polish group.
Reactions and Prospects
Overall in Warsaw, authorities emphasize close cooperation with Ukraine and the readiness of intelligence and law enforcement agencies to share information to prevent similar incidents. The joint Ukrainian-Polish group is expected to focus on coordinating measures to protect railway infrastructure and to respond promptly to threats.
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