WW3 fears after saboteurs blow up railway line in NATO country

WW3 fears explode after saboteurs blow up railway line in NATO country

Matthew Dooley

Rebecca Robinson

Poland's Prime Minister has confirmed that an explosion which damaged a railway in the country was an act of sabotage. Donald Tusk wrote on X: "Unfortunately, the worst fears have been confirmed. On the Warsaw-Lublin route (Mika village), an act of sabotage has occurred. The explosion of an explosive device destroyed the railway track. Emergency services and the prosecutor's office are working at the scene.

"On the same route, closer to Lublin, damage has also been identified." Mr Tusk did not say who is responsible for the sabotage, but has previously accused Russia in similar instances, though Moscow has always denied involvement. Poland's deputy interior minister confirmed that investigators are probing the sabotage.

He said: "After all, Russia is not so powerful that every arson attack or similar situation was provoked by Russia. However, in no case should this be ruled out or ignored."

Local police said on Sunday that a train driver reported damage on the line in central Poland. The railway line reportedly leads to Poland's border with Ukraine, RMF24 reports.

The "disruption" was reported in Życzyn, Garwolin County, Masovian Voivodeship, near PKP Mika station. This line connects Warsaw with the Dorohusk border crossing, the outlet said. 

The route is used by Mazovian Railways, as well as freight trains headed for Lublin, Chelm, and destinations further into Ukraine.

Mr Tusk said on Sunday: "Regarding the destruction of a section of the tracks on the Dęblin-Warsaw route, I am in constant contact with the Minister of Internal Affairs.

"It is not ruled out that we are dealing with an act of sabotage. No one was injured. The relevant services are carrying out their activities."

Warsaw has previously said that its role as an ally to Ukraine and supplying aid to the war-torn country makes it a target for Russian sabotage, which Moscow denies.