Poland Blames Russian-Backed Ukrainians for Railway Sabotage

NY Times ^ | Nov 18, 2025 | Lara Jakes and Anatol Magdziarz

[McGruff]

The Polish authorities accused two Ukrainians on Tuesday of working with Russia to sabotage train tracks, implicating Moscow in an attack that slightly damaged a crucial supply line from NATO countries to Ukraine on Saturday.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk called the attacks “perhaps the most dangerous situation for the security of the Polish state today since the outbreak of the full-scale war in Ukraine.” He raised the threat alert for certain critical rail lines to Poland’s second-highest level. Mr. Tusk told Parliament that the two Ukrainian men had been identified but that they fled into Belarus before they could be apprehended.

A Kremlin spokesman, Dmitri S. Peskov, scoffed at the accusation that Russia had engineered the attacks.

“Russophobia, of course, blooms in splendor,” Mr. Peskov told a Russian state television reporter.

“But,” he said, “the very fact that once again citizens of Ukraine are in question in acts of sabotage and terrorism against critical infrastructure facilities is noteworthy.”

[rottweiller_inc]

I guess they rejected the idea that maybe the Ukrainians have realized that as long as the west continues to pump weapons into the war, they will keep dying and the war won’t end until they are all dead or maimed.

[VanShuyten]

They could very well be Russo-Ukrainians since Tusk said they fled into Belarus after dynamiting the tracks. They probably weren’t professionals because they bombed the tracks where it was easy to repair them, not a bridge or tunnel.

[alexander_busek]

[...] maybe the Ukrainians Russians have realized that as long as the west Putin continues to pump weapons into the war, they (the Russians) will keep dying and the war won’t end until they are all dead or maimed.

All Putin has to do is end his invasion (which he shouldn't have launched in the first place), and the war would be over. Easy-peasy.

But noo-ooo!

Regards,

[rottweiller_inc]

It takes 2 to tango and there was never any doubt the Ukraine would lose. There never was going to be an upside for the Ukrainians, their allotted role being cannon fodder for western interests.

[JonPreston]

All NATO has to do is end its expansion

(fixed)

[Does so]

Yeah, that’ll work...!

[Socon-Econ]

Suspicious. Putin isn’t stupid. Tusk’s report on the incident is going to reflect leftist Poles’ desire to start a war with Russia, the last thing Russia needs right now.

[dfwgator]

I don’t trust anything Traitor Tusk says.

[alexander_busek]

All NATO has to do is end its expansion

Was that the reason Putin cited for his "Special Military Operation?!" That's how he justifies annexing vast swathes of foreign territory?!

"Stop expanding, or I'll invade Ukraine?!"

And what did his "SMO" get him?

Two old "diehards," Finland and Sweden, joining the NATO family!

Real smart, that Putin!

Regards,

[JonPreston]

When Americans want a foreigner's advice on war and peace, especially from a Libertarian, we'll rattle your cage

alexander_busek

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[alexander_busek]

Unable to coherently refute my logic, you resort to cheap ad hominem.

Pitiful.

Regards,

[freeandfreezing]

"“But,” he said, “the very fact that once again citizens of Ukraine are in question in acts of sabotage and terrorism against critical infrastructure facilities is noteworthy.”

Of course Peskov neglected to mention that the "Ukrainians" in question are actually from the part of Ukraine that Russia now claims is a part of Russia. So assuming even Peskov believes that the Donbas is Russia, the perpetrators are Russians.

[freeandfreezing]

I guess they rejected the idea that maybe the Ukrainians have realized that as long as the west continues to pump weapons into the war, they will keep dying and the war won’t end until they are all dead or maimed.

No, the alleged perpetrators have been working for the Russian government since the early days of the fighting in Ukraine in 2014.

[freeandfreezing]

Hey Jon, can you provide any evidence that you (or whoever is posting using your account) is an American?

[JonPreston]

cheap ad hominem

It's who you say you are on your Homepage, and answer the question; why should American taxpayers take foreign policy advice from a foreigner?

[JonPreston]

up jumps another libertarian :P

[alexander_busek]

It's who you say you are on your Homepage, and answer the question; why should American taxpayers take foreign policy advice from a foreigner?

1. I offered no foreign policy advice. Rather, I merely asked questions and stated facts.

2. I am an American - born and bred. I happen to reside in Germany (which some might think gives me a greater perspective on the world).

3. »All NATO has to do is end its expansion«. Again my QUESTIONS: Was that the reason Putin cited for his "Special Military Operation?!" Is that his justification for annexing vast swathes of foreign territory?! And what did his "SMO" get him except the historically neutral countries of Finland and Sweden finally joining NATO?

Regards,

[JonPreston]

I happen to reside in Germany (which some might think gives me a greater perspective on the world)

Hilarious, considering your new utopia’s crumbling foundations. When liberalism/libertarianism marries Russophobia and the Green Gospel, deindustrialization isn’t a bug—it’s the feature. I'd normally say embrace the suck, but better you stop pounding the war drums and keep your passport handy.

[alexander_busek]

alexander_busek: I happen to reside in Germany (which some might think gives me a greater perspective on the world)

JonPreston : Hilarious, considering your new utopia’s crumbling foundations.

I never called it my new "utopia." Rather, it's just the place where I happen to reside. There are plenty of good, patriotic FReepers who happen to live in "blue" hell-holes like California or Hawaii or even foreign lands like Canada or Japan - who are yet entitled to present their views on matters of national import.

One could even reasonably argue that their years abroad have broaden their horizons and given them certain insights. I am reminded of the T.S. Eliot quote: "The end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time."

Germany is certainly in a crisis - demographically - and is also not carrying its share of the responsibility in NATO. Very concerning is the fact that Germany's national-debt-to-GDP ratio has climbed to almost half of America's!

JonPreston : When liberalism/libertarianism marries Russophobia and the Green Gospel [...]

You are attempting to "strawman" me! I cannot be held accountable for the opinions, beliefs, or policies of others - certainly not for the country in which I happen to reside. And I am working to change them!

And the understanding that Putin has proven to be a pox upon Russia certainly doesn't make me a "Russophobe."

You have been unable to present any cogent argument in favor of your position, instead wasting everybody's time with petty ad hominem attacks. You have likewise stubbornly refused to address my very legitimate QUESTIONS:

1. You asserted that "All NATO has to do [to end the war] is end its expansion." Was that the reason Putin cited for launching his "Special Military Operation" in the first place?! Is that his justification for annexing vast swathes of foreign territory?!

2. And what did his "SMO" get him except the historically neutral countries of Finland and Sweden finally joining NATO? Should the world characterize that as a "win?!"

Regards,