Poland’s Internal Security Agency announced the arrest of eight individuals suspected of sabotage planning on Tuesday, as the nation confronts a growing hybrid threat from Russia.
Arrests of Eight Suspected Saboteurs
Poland’s Internal Security Agency announced that eight individuals were detained on Tuesday amid allegations they were preparing sabotage operations. Premier Donald Tusk confirmed the arrests in a statement to the press.
According to the agency, the suspects were targeted in recent days across various parts of the country, potentially as part of a coordinated attempt to undermine national security.
Coordinating Intelligence and Law Enforcement
Press secretary Jacek Dobrzyński revealed that since the beginning of the year, the ABW has arrested a total of 55 people who carried out acts against Poland on orders from Russian intelligence.
Defense Minister Tomasz Siemoniak added that the investigations focus on surveillance of military facilities and critical infrastructure, the preparation of sabotage means, and the direct execution of attacks.
General Polko on Russia’s Hybrid Warfare
Gen. Roman Polko said that “a hybrid war is being fought against Poland” and cited numerous incidents on the Belarus border, sightings of the so‑called “shadow fleet,” and breaches of Polish airspace as evidence of Russian activity.
He argued that Russia’s operations are designed not only to spread fear but also to observe Poland’s procedures and reaction times, thereby building a framework for actual sabotage planned with paid operatives.
Effectiveness of Polish Cyber‑Defense
General Polko noted that Polish cyber‑defenses have successfully repelled a majority of attacks. “In sabotage operations the best indicator of success is that nothing happens,” he said.
He added that when an attack is thwarted and publicly reported—as in the recent case—it serves primarily to mobilize society toward greater vigilance.
Need for Unified Government–Presidential Security Coordination
Polko stressed that Russia is continually escalating and intensifying attacks, honing its propaganda and provocation tactics to extract strategic information.
He warned that the Russian data base is likely used by special forces for multisided sabotage missions, both covert and overt, and urged that Polish government and presidential bodies act in full synergy rather than in competition.
Polko also emphasized that cooperation with foreign partners and NATO is “the key to success” in countering Russian efforts.
