Poland’s infrastructure minister confirmed in the early hours of 18 November that double-track operations had resumed on the Sobolew–Życzyn section of the Warsaw–Lublin main line, less than 30 hours after an explosive device ripped open the rails. The rapid repair involved 130 PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe engineers working under military guard and using pre-positioned KZN modular track panels.
The blast forced the diversion or cancellation of 27 passenger services—including four EIP Pendolino business trains linking Warsaw and Kraków via Lublin—and interrupted at least 11 freight trains carrying automotive components, finished goods and humanitarian aid for Ukraine. Logisticians estimate the disruption added up to 18 hours to door-to-door transit times for eastbound cargo, prompting several manufacturers to switch urgent consignments to road.
![Sabotage halts Warsaw–Lublin rail link; traffic now restored but security tightened]()
Prime Minister Donald Tusk told lawmakers that two Ukrainian nationals, one previously convicted of sabotage in Lviv, have been identified as prime suspects and are believed to have fled to Belarus. Polish prosecutors have opened a terrorism investigation under Article 163 of the Penal Code, which carries a potential life sentence.
Rail operators PKP Intercity and Koleje Mazowieckie have reinstated full timetables but warned of intensified security checks at stations, including random baggage screenings and canine patrols. Business travellers are advised to add 15-20 minutes to boarding times at Warszawa Centralna, Lublin and Dęblin until further notice.
The incident underscores Poland’s vulnerability as a logistics bridge to Ukraine; freight forwarders moving military or high-value commercial cargo are re-routing via the Ełk-Kukuryki corridor and accelerating plans for GPS-sealed wagons and armed escort services.
The blast forced the diversion or cancellation of 27 passenger services—including four EIP Pendolino business trains linking Warsaw and Kraków via Lublin—and interrupted at least 11 freight trains carrying automotive components, finished goods and humanitarian aid for Ukraine. Logisticians estimate the disruption added up to 18 hours to door-to-door transit times for eastbound cargo, prompting several manufacturers to switch urgent consignments to road.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk told lawmakers that two Ukrainian nationals, one previously convicted of sabotage in Lviv, have been identified as prime suspects and are believed to have fled to Belarus. Polish prosecutors have opened a terrorism investigation under Article 163 of the Penal Code, which carries a potential life sentence.
Rail operators PKP Intercity and Koleje Mazowieckie have reinstated full timetables but warned of intensified security checks at stations, including random baggage screenings and canine patrols. Business travellers are advised to add 15-20 minutes to boarding times at Warszawa Centralna, Lublin and Dęblin until further notice.
The incident underscores Poland’s vulnerability as a logistics bridge to Ukraine; freight forwarders moving military or high-value commercial cargo are re-routing via the Ełk-Kukuryki corridor and accelerating plans for GPS-sealed wagons and armed escort services.
