• Polish PM Donald Tusk confirms explosion on railway was an act of sabotage.
• The incident threatens Poland’s security amid ongoing support for Ukraine.
• No injuries reported, but trains were forced to halt due to damage detected.

On November 17, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk declared that an explosion damaging a railway line critical for supplies to Ukraine was "an unprecedented act of sabotage." The blast occurred on the route from Warsaw to Lublin, aiming to threaten “the security of the Polish state and its civilians,” as Tusk indicated on social media platforms. Authorities were able to avert disaster when a train driver reported anomalies, allowing for an emergency stop before a potential derailment occurred, according to Reuters and Le Monde.

The Polish prime minister described the event as targeting a vital supply line for military and humanitarian aid heading to Ukraine. Tusk expressed relief that no injuries occurred, but noted another incident involving shattered windows in a train carriage likely related to the same line and possibly another act of sabotage. Special Services Minister Tomasz Siemoniak suggested that foreign services might be behind the attack, hinting at a broader context of threats Poland faces amid escalating tensions over its support for Ukraine, according to BBC and Reuters.

Moreover, investigations are underway as authorities have collected significant evidence, including surveillance footage, to identify the perpetrators. The incident stands out as part of a troubling pattern of sabotage targeting Poland's critical infrastructure, particularly as it serves as a hub for aid to Ukraine during the ongoing conflict that began in February 2022, as emphasized by Tusk's statements. He assured citizens, "We will catch the perpetrators, no matter who their sponsor is," demonstrating a firm resolve to address the issue, according to Le Monde and BBC.