Poland Accuses Russia of Planning Global Airline Sabotage

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Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk accused Russia on January 15, 2025, of orchestrating potential acts of sabotage that could target airlines globally, including "acts of air terror." This assertion was made during a news conference in Warsaw alongside Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy, where Tusk reiterated concerns about Russia’s intentions.

Tusk did not provide specific details but emphasized the seriousness of the threats, confirming that fears of potential air terror were not limited to Poland but extended to airlines worldwide. In response, the Kremlin has previously dismissed Western allegations regarding its involvement in sabotage activities across Europe.

Western intelligence officials suspect Russian operatives may have been behind plots to deploy incendiary devices on cargo flights to North America, highlighting incidents such as a fire in a German courier facility and another in an English warehouse last year.

In addition to these concerns, Azerbaijan recently accused Russia of mistakenly shooting down an Azerbaijani airliner in December 2023, resulting in 38 fatalities. While President Vladimir Putin offered an apology for this "tragic incident," he did not admit direct responsibility.

Poland's government, known for its pro-European Union stance, believes that Russia is enacting a hybrid war strategy against Poland and other Western nations in response to their support for Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict. Furthermore, Poland's foreign minister previously ordered the closure of a Russian consulate due to alleged orchestrated sabotage activities, including various arson incidents.

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