Tusk confirmed sabotage at Polish drone component plant
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that the fire at the WB Electronics facility in Skarżysko-Kamienna, where components for unmanned systems are produced, was the result of deliberate arson. Polish law enforcement is investigating the incident as possible sabotage involving foreign intelligence.
Tusk made the statement on September 2 before a government meeting. According to him, in the case of the Skarżysko-Kamienna facility, the authorities have no doubt that the fire was intentional.
"There is no doubt that this was deliberate arson, an act of sabotage," — said the Polish prime minister.
Cameras recorded a masked person
The fire occurred shortly after midnight on August 31 at the WB Electronics facility — a company that is part of one of the largest private defense groups in Poland and is involved in the development and production of unmanned systems.
At the time of ignition, the plant was not operating and there were no people inside, so no one was injured. Firefighters managed to extinguish the fire in about two hours.
Polish Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński earlier reported that surveillance camera footage recorded a masked person near the facility around the time the fire started. Investigators are also reviewing recordings from other cameras in the area.
In addition, items were found near the plant that, according to the minister, could help identify the perpetrator and possible organizers of the sabotage.
The damage from the fire is preliminarily estimated at about 15 million zlotys — about €3.5 million.
Prosecutor's office investigating possible involvement of foreign intelligence
The National Prosecutor's Office of Poland has opened an investigation under articles related to activities in the interests of foreign intelligence and a crime of a terrorist nature.
According to the investigation, an unknown person could have deliberately set fire to the facility using a device containing flammable substances. At the same time, the specific foreign intelligence service that could be behind the sabotage has not been officially named yet.
Tusk linked the incident to a broader threat of Russian hybrid operations in Europe. According to him, the coming weeks and months will be especially difficult for Poland and other countries in the region due to Russia's attempts to increase tension and destabilization.
The prime minister also stated that Russian structures are actively using cryptocurrencies to finance sabotage and recruit perpetrators. According to him, in cases already uncovered by Polish services, payment to organizers and perpetrators of such operations was made in this way.
Another fire investigated in Lublin
Polish authorities are simultaneously investigating a fire at the production and warehouse facility of JFG Composites in Lublin, which produces parts for the aviation industry.
Tusk emphasized that in this case there is not enough evidence of deliberate arson yet. However, given the nature of the company's production, Polish authorities do not exclude sabotage there as well.
NATO, commenting on the events in Poland and other recent incidents in Europe, stated that Russia is increasing not only attacks against Ukraine but also hybrid activity in European countries. The Alliance also noted that it currently sees no immediate threat of military attack on NATO countries.
Based on materials from: Polskie Radio
