Warsaw (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Polish PM Donald Tusk condemned a blast on a railway carrying weapons to Ukraine as “unprecedented sabotage” and pledged to investigate and catch the culprits.
As reported by The Independent, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Monday called the explosion that damaged a railway track bound for Ukraine an “unprecedented act of sabotage.”
A train driver reported damage to the railway on Sunday, 16 November, local authorities said. The affected section is about 80 miles from the Polish-Ukrainian border.
What did Donald Tusk say about the railway explosion near Ukraine?
Donald Tusk said an explosive device damaged a railway section near Mika village, a route he described as
“crucial for delivering aid to Ukraine.”
He pledged to track down those responsible for the incident, warning that it
“could have ended in tragedy.”
Officials confirmed that two passengers and several staff were on board, but no injuries were reported.
The Polish Prime Minister said, “Just like in previous cases of this kind, we will catch the perpetrators, regardless of who their backers are,” without revealing any suspects.
Speaking in a video address, he said the route was also used to transport weapons to Ukraine.
He labelled the incident
“an unprecedented act of sabotage aimed at the security of the Polish state and its citizens”,
and confirmed that an inquiry was underway.
Mr Tusk said,
“Unfortunately, there is no doubt that we are dealing with an act of sabotage. Fortunately, there was no tragedy, but the matter is nonetheless very serious.”
The Polish PM added,
“The case is developing and under investigation, but indeed, unfortunately, there is no doubt that we are dealing with deliberate action — an act of sabotage.”
How did the train explosion on the Ukraine aid route happen?
The attack on the Warsaw-Lublin line comes amid a wave of arson, sabotage, and cyberattacks affecting Poland and other countries since the start of the war in Ukraine.
A second incident occurred near Puławy on Sunday evening, when a passenger train carrying 475 people was forced to stop due to damage to the overhead line. Some media reports also mentioned a possible obstruction on the tracks.
Poland accused Russia of the explosion, saying its country had been targeted because of its role in delivering aid to Ukraine. Moscow has denied any involvement in the sabotage incident.
Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said the military is inspecting a 120 km stretch of railway leading to the Ukrainian border.
Warsaw said in October that Poland and Romania had detained eight people suspected of planning sabotage on behalf of Russia.
Lublin police said on Sunday that a passenger train carrying 475 people had come to a sudden stop on the route from Świnoujście to Rzeszów.
Authorities reported that one train carriage had broken windows, likely caused by a damaged traction line. The cause of the incident is unclear, and no injuries were reported.
Poland’s Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński is convening an emergency meeting on the train incidents, with ministers of transport and justice, police, and security officials in attendance.
He added,
“Poland is facing acts of sabotage unprecedented in its most recent history. The [security] services are responding. One thing is certain: the guilty will answer for this act of aggression.”
Which weapons is Poland sending to Ukraine?
Poland has transferred extensive military aid to Ukraine, including 318 main battle tanks, 586 armored vehicles, and 137 artillery systems, such as self-propelled howitzers and rocket launchers. The aid package also includes 10 MiG-29 fighter jets and 10 Mi-24 helicopters.
The country acts as a strategic logistical corridor for Ukraine, with more than 90% of military aid shipments to Ukraine passing through Polish territory.