Poland Suspects Russian Sabotage in Starlink Station Fire

Polish security services suspect Russian sabotage following a fire at a Starlink ground station in Wola Krobowska, near Warsaw, on the evening of September 23.

A bottle of flammable liquid resembling a "Molotov cocktail" was found near the distribution panel that connects to the station's antennas, which were destroyed. Polish Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk stated that wherever suspicious fires occur, they must by default assume that they are dealing with possible sabotage or subversion, and that Russia is using fairly simple methods, they carry out arson attacks and acts of sabotage, provoking social instability across Europe.

Digitization Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski said evidence suggests a deliberate attempt to disrupt the station's operation, which supports internet access in Ukraine, and that sabotage cannot be ruled out. Polish Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński added that "Russia has reached a new level of hybrid warfare against all of Europe." Denmark's defense intelligence service issued a threat assessment on Thursday, stating Russia is likely to intensify its hybrid war against the West in the coming months and warned of a low but growing risk of a limited military attack against NATO countries. The Starlink station is owned by Polish state-owned telecom company Exatel and provides internet traffic through Poland, including to Ukraine.