Debunking a Fake: Poland Did Not Accuse Ukraine of Sabotaging Railway Tracks
Russian propagandists are actively spreading a false claim that Poland has allegedly accused Ukraine of carrying out sabotage on the Warsaw-Lublin railway line. This disinformation narrative is aimed at discrediting Ukraine and escalating tensions in the strategically important partnership between Poland and Ukraine. The manipulation was debunked by fact-checkers at StopFake.
In reality, Poland’s leadership has clearly stated that Russia – not Ukraine – was behind the attack.
- Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski unequivocally described the railway sabotage as “an act of state terrorism ordered by Russia.”
- Polish law enforcement agencies explicitly indicated that although the suspects were Ukrainian citizens, they acted only as executors who had been recruited by Russian intelligence services. The fact that they fled to Belarus serves as strong evidence of Russia’s involvement and operational control.
- The railway sabotage incident occurred near Miłki on the Warsaw-Lublin line. This route is critically important for the delivery of military and humanitarian aid as well as fuel to Ukraine, making it an ideal target for Russian sabotage.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fully agreed with the Polish assessment and emphasized that “all the facts point to a Russian trace”. He also initiated the creation of a joint Polish-Ukrainian working group to more effectively counter Russian sabotage operations.
The use of citizens of third countries, including Ukraine, to carry out acts of sabotage in Europe is a standard practice of the hybrid warfare waged by the Kremlin. Disinformation claiming that Poland accused Ukraine is an outright lie aimed at sowing discord between allies. Both countries have clearly identified Russia as the sole organizer and beneficiary of this terrorist act.