{
  "id": 9603966,
  "title": "Polish Deputy PM says Starlink station fire possibly Russian sabotage",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/polish-deputy-pm-says-starlink-station-fire-possibly-russian-sabotage",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-24T18:13:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Kyiv Independent",
    "slug": "kyiv-independent",
    "url": "https://kyivindependent.com/polish-deputy-pm-says-starlink-station-fire-possibly-russian-sabotage/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "Gawkowski said there were indications that the fire, which broke out at the station in Wola Krobowska, in Poland's Masovian Voivodeship, on the evening of Sept. 23, may have been an attempt to disrupt its operations.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Ajel English",
        "title": "US intelligence warns Spain, France, Italy of possible Russian drone attacks from Mediterranean",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/us-intelligence-warns-spain-france-italy-of-possible-russian-drone",
        "published": "2026-09-24T14:15:23.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Meduza (English)",
        "title": "Starlink ground station catches fire near Warsaw. Polish security services suspect Russian sabotage.",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/starlink-ground-station-catches-fire-near-warsaw-polish-security",
        "published": "2026-09-24T14:50:21.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Insider",
        "title": "Polish officials suspect sabotage after fire at Starlink station providing internet to the Ukrainian military",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/polish-officials-suspect-sabotage-after-fire-at-starlink-station",
        "published": "2026-09-24T15:33:42.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Euronews",
        "title": "Ukrainian suspect arrested after fatal stabbing at Polish abbey",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/ukrainian-suspect-arrested-after-fatal-stabbing-at-polish-abbey",
        "published": "2026-09-24T16:02:53.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}