Innerhalb Russlands hybrider Angriffe auf Europa, die Großbritannien bedrohen könnten

Two acts of sabotage against railway lines in [Poland](https://inews.co.uk/topic/poland?ico=in-line_link) over the weekend have been blamed on Moscow, and highlight an emerging Russian campaign of disruption and subversion meant to undermine Western unity and support for Ukraine.

Tomasz Siemoniak, the minister responsible for Poland’s security services, said there was a “very high chance” that the attacks were organised “on the orders of foreign intelligence services”, which is being interpreted as pointing the finger firmly at Russia. On Tuesday, Polish authorities [accused two Ukrainians](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gknv8nxlzo) reportedly connected to Russian military intelligence of being behind the attacks.

The first incident, which appears to have involved an improvised explosive, took place on the line at Mika, between Warsaw and Lublin, destroying a section of track. The second, later the same day, saw a passenger train forced to a sudden stop at Pulawy, closer to Lublin, after apparent sabotage to overhead power cables.

Polish Prime Minister [Donald Tusk](https://inews.co.uk/topic/donald-tusk?ico=in-line_link) was quick to note that this particular railway line is “crucially important for [delivering aid to Ukraine](https://inews.co.uk/news/ukraine-needs-from-europe-us-cut-military-aid-3567426?ico=in-line_link)”, including military supplies.

These latest incidents are likely an escalation of Russia’s existing “[hybrid warfare](https://inews.co.uk/news/world/putin-embarking-hybrid-world-war-iii-europe-focus-3994893?ico=in-line_link)” taking place in Europe. In 2023, more than a dozen individuals were caught installing secret cameras close to Poland’s railway lines, apparently to monitor the movement of military aid to [Ukraine](https://inews.co.uk/topic/ukraine?ico=in-line_link).

Poland has been especially outspoken about Russia’s actions and at the forefront of European rearmament. Its planned defence budget for 2026 is a record €46.9bn (around £41.3bn), equivalent to 4.8 per cent of the country’s GDP, the highest level in Nato.

As a result, it has been something of a priority target for Moscow. Past incidents have included an arson attack on a shopping centre in Warsaw and cyber attacks on train operators. According to Siemoniak, 55 people have been arrested for their involvement in planned or actual attacks in Poland.