Poland’s deputy prime minister has warned that Russia is likely to increase its sabotage efforts in the country after a recent explosion on a key rail route to Ukraine. The blast, which Polish authorities blame on Russian intelligence, has raised concerns about the safety of civilians and critical infrastructure in the NATO member state.
Krzysztof Gawkowski spoke to Bloomberg News, saying Russia is stepping up its attempts to stop Poland from supporting Ukraine. He pointed out that threats are coming in many forms, including disinformation, cyberattacks, and possible terror acts. “Escalation will continue,” he said, emphasizing risks across different areas where Poles could be harmed.
The explosion occurred on a busy rail line used to transport aid and military supplies to Ukraine. Poland quickly accused Moscow of orchestrating the attack, a claim Russia denied, calling it “Russophobia.” The European Union labeled the incident as "state-sponsored terrorism." This event follows an earlier breach of Polish airspace by 19 Russian drones, marking a growing pattern of aggressive behavior.
Poland shares borders with both Russia and Belarus and has strengthened its military in recent years, becoming one of NATO’s largest defense spenders by GDP percentage. The country has taken a strong stand supporting Ukraine, especially since the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022, which pushed millions of Ukrainians to seek refuge in Poland.
However, attitudes within Poland toward Ukrainians have become more tense recently due to a rising nationalist mood. Meanwhile, Poland’s cybersecurity efforts are focused on blocking Russian disinformation campaigns that try to blame Ukraine for acts of sabotage inside Poland.
Gawkowski also stressed the importance of a peace deal that allows Ukraine to feel it has achieved something through its fight. He believes a confident Ukraine will serve as a strong barrier against further Russian aggression. On the other hand, a peace agreement that paints Ukraine as defeated or under Russian control could be dangerous for both Ukraine and Poland.
The deputy prime minister criticized some Western European countries for pushing to quickly resume business ties with Russia, saying that this approach assumes increased trade will make Russia more “civilized,” a view he says hasn’t changed.
As the situation unfolds, Poland remains vigilant, preparing for regular escalations roughly every six weeks and working closely with tech firms to counter Russian misinformation. The country’s message is clear: they will continue to support Ukraine and defend themselves against any form of Russian aggression.