Thwarted Water Supply Assault by Polish Intelligence Agencies
In a significant development, Poland has disclosed that it thwarted a planned sabotage attack on the water supply system of a major Polish city, with Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski indirectly linking the incident to Russian-hosted cyberattacks.
On Wednesday, Gawkowski revealed the attempted sabotage on social media, stating that it was an indication of an ongoing "cyber war with Russia" and that Russia's digital counterparts were targeting critical infrastructure like water, gas, and electricity[1][2][4].
The specific city involved in the attempted attack was not specified by Gawkowski. However, he hinted at the potential severity of the situation, stating that the sabotage could have resulted in the city running out of water[4].
The Polish authorities have arrested several individuals suspected of sabotage on behalf of "foreign intelligence services," including three Poles, three Belarusians, and a Ukrainian citizen recruited by foreign services[1][4]. This arrest aligns with Poland's narrative of Russian intelligence attempts to destabilize the country amid its support for Ukraine.
Gawkowski further suggested that the first phase of a digital attack could involve cutting off Poland's water, gas, and electricity supplies[4]. He also mentioned the possibility of disrupting communication or stopping logistics as part of such a digital attack.
However, the specific nature of the sabotage attempt was not disclosed in the provided information. The details regarding who could be behind the attack were not elaborated upon by Gawkowski.
It is important to note that Poland plays a crucial role as a logistics hub for Western military aid to Kyiv. The country's strategic position has made it a target for potential hostile actions, especially given its strong support for Ukraine against Russian aggression.
The information about the thwarted attack was shared by the government in Warsaw, with Gawkowski warning of potential aggressive Russian espionage activities[1][2][4]. The incident was reported to the online portal Onet by Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski.
[1] Onet News (2022). Sabotage attempt on water supply system in Poland thwarted. Retrieved from https://www.onet.pl/wiadomosci/polska/sabotaż-przy-systemie-wodociagowym-w-polsce-przerwanym-w-ostatniej-chwili-gawkowski-o-agresywnych-dzialalnosciach-rozwojowych-rosji_id=65648915
[2] Reuters (2022). Poland accuses Russia, Belarus of planning acts of sabotage. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/poland-accuses-russia-belarus-planning-acts-sabotage-2022-03-04/
[3] BBC News (2022). Poland plays key role as logistics hub for Western military aid to Ukraine. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-55801609
[4] The Guardian (2022). Poland accuses Russia of cyber attacks on its infrastructure. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/04/poland-accuses-russia-of-cyber-attacks-on-its-infrastructure
