Polish prosecutors have opened a terrorism investigation into a fire at a factory producing drone components, saying the blaze was likely started deliberately and may involve foreign intelligence services. The announcement came on Monday from the Polish National Prosecution Office, which said the probe would examine "participation in the activities of a foreign intelligence service directed against the Republic of Poland and for a terrorist offence, consisting of deliberately causing a fire on the premises of the WB Electronics factory using a device containing flammable materials."
The fire broke out shortly after midnight at the WB Electronics facility in Skarzysko-Kamienna, a city about 150 kilometers south of Warsaw, according to the prosecution statement. Firefighters spent roughly two hours bringing the blaze under control, and no injuries were reported. Poland's Internal Security Agency (ABW) is assisting police with the investigation, officials said, though an agency spokesman noted that no further details would be shared publicly at this stage "due to their specific and confidential nature."
Authorities have not publicly identified any suspects or a specific foreign power. However, the investigation comes amid heightened concern across Europe about sabotage operations linked to Russia, which Poland has repeatedly accused of orchestrating attacks on infrastructure and military supply chains since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk told reporters in August that a Russian citizen had been detained in Poland on suspicion of having been recruited by Russian services to carry out an assassination. Earlier this year, an unexploded drone was found at a German airport. Several Eastern European countries have said they have been targets of spying and sabotage as part of a "hybrid war" they blame on Russia.
WB Electronics is one of Poland's largest private defense companies, specializing in drones, loitering munitions, fire-control systems, and military communication equipment. The factory in Skarzysko-Kamienna manufactures key components for drones supplied to both the Polish and Ukrainian militaries, including the FlyEye and Warmate drones used by Ukrainian forces. The company also supplies advanced defense technologies to the Polish military, ranging from digital command-and-control systems to modern unmanned strike platforms.
The incident has underscored the vulnerability of defense supply chains in a region on high alert. Poland has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine since Russia's invasion, has been boosting its own security spending and military capabilities, and has accused Russia and Belarus of sending agents into the country to carry out sabotage acts. The investigation into the fire continues, with authorities focusing on whether the blaze was an act of foreign interference aimed at disrupting weapons production for Ukraine.
Context
The fire at WB Electronics is the latest in a series of incidents across Europe that authorities and analysts have linked to suspected Russian sabotage operations. Poland, a key NATO member and transit hub for Western military aid to Ukraine, has been a particular focus of these concerns. The Polish government has previously detained individuals accused of working for Russian intelligence and has warned of plots targeting critical infrastructure. The investigation's focus on a "foreign intelligence service" and a "terrorist offence" reflects the severity with which Warsaw is treating the incident, even as it withholds specifics about the ongoing inquiry.
Official statements
The Polish National Prosecution Office issued the formal statement announcing the investigation, and an unidentified agency spokesman communicated the decision to withhold further details. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk earlier this month spoke publicly about the detention of a Russian citizen in connection with an alleged assassination plot, though that case is separate from the factory fire. No other Polish officials have commented publicly on the fire or the investigation.
International reaction
No foreign governments have yet issued official responses to the fire. The incident has, however, drawn attention to the broader pattern of suspected sabotage targeting Ukraine's allies. The German airport drone discovery and other reported incidents have fueled concerns among European nations about coordinated hostile activities. Authorities in Poland and elsewhere have emphasized the need for vigilance and increased security, but investigators have not yet established a definitive link between the fire and any external actor.
Investigation status
The investigation is ongoing, with police and the Internal Security Agency working together. Officials have not disclosed the type of device used or the extent of the damage, citing the sensitive nature of the probe. The prosecution statement describes the fire as "deliberately causing" harm using "flammable materials," but specific details remain confidential. As the inquiry proceeds, Polish authorities face pressure to determine whether the incident was an isolated act or part of a broader campaign of sabotage against countries supporting Ukraine.