Polish officials suspect sabotage after fire at Starlink station providing internet to the Ukrainian military

On September 23, a fire erupted at a Starlink satellite communications ground station in Poland's Mazowieckie province. Local media outlet Onet reported that Polish Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski believes the fire was a targeted attack intended to disable the station, which serves as an "Internet hub" for Ukraine's security.

The station, operated by state-owned telecommunications company Exatel, provides communications services across Poland and Ukraine. Gawkowski stated that the fire caused significant damage, including to the power station and generator, effectively cutting off internet access and disrupting communications for various institutions, including the Ukrainian military.

While the attempt to sabotage the station failed, Gawkowski noted that the incident aligns with Russia's new doctrine of attack. Poland's PM Donald Tusk acknowledged that this event is part of hybrid warfare. On September 22, Polish police reported another potential act of sabotage near the village of Jedlanka, where two freight trains collided with concrete blocks placed on the tracks.

In late August, a factory owned by Polish defense company WB Electronics, which provides combat drones to Ukraine, caught fire. Earlier in June, an independent outlet Vot Tak published an investigation alleging that Russian recruiters were actively seeking individuals to carry out sabotage operations in Poland. Polish authorities have charged 29-year-old with spying for Russia, targeting military facilities and chemical plants.

Additionally, the Polish Defense Ministry detained an employee suspected of working for Russian and Belarusian intelligence. One section of railway track near Warsaw has been damaged, and Polish PM Tusk confirmed that the recent railway sabotage was carried out by two Ukrainian citizens acting on orders from Russia. The Polish government has also accused Russia of launching mass production of electronic warfare systems to counter Starlink, although analysts argue that the capabilities of these systems are overstated.