Polish Deputy PM says Starlink station fire possibly Russian sabotage

A fire at a Starlink ground station in Wola Krobowska, Poland, may have been an intentional act of sabotage aimed at disrupting internet access for Ukrainian forces, according to Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Digital Affairs Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski. The incident occurred on September 23 at the Exatel-operated station, which serves as an internet hub for Poland and Ukraine.

Gawkowski suggested that Russia could be behind the attack, describing it as part of Moscow's hybrid warfare. The station's Starlink internet allows for high-speed, almost unjammable communication between Ukrainian combat positions and command posts, particularly over the middle-strike range of 50-200 kilometers from the front line.

This range has been severely impacted by Ukrainian attacks on Russian logistics routes. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk separately expressed concern over the circumstances of the fire, stating that the evidence did not appear favorable. Tusk also mentioned that Poland temporarily evacuated border crossings with Ukraine due to Russian attacks near the Polish border, though the crossings were later reopened.

The escalation of Russian actions is becoming evident, with Tusk warning of more intense actions in the coming weeks and months, which could potentially affect Poland's territory.