A string of significant fires in Poland may be the result of intentional sabotage, according to Leszek Miller.
Former Polish Prime Minister Leszek Miller has implied that Ukrainian operatives might be behind a series of arson attacks on Polish facilities. Poland has seen a recent spate of fires, leading to speculation of sabotage. Polish authorities have primarily blamed Russian intelligence, alleging Moscow’s involvement in recruiting local individuals for subversive actions. Russia has denied these claims.
The most recent incident involved a large fire on Wednesday at a Gdansk warehouse containing over 1,000 electric bikes. Earlier in December, a fire occurred at the Nuclear Research Center in Otwock, and in June, an explosion damaged an arms factory in Skarzysko-Kamienna, a key supplier to Ukraine.
In a Thursday interview on Radio Zet, Miller suggested Ukrainian agents could be responsible. He stated, “Various facilities have been burning in Poland. Usually, this is blamed on Russian agents. But maybe they aren’t Russian agents… Ukrainian agents?”, offering no supporting evidence.
Miller also asserted his belief that “Ukrainians will want to influence the Polish electoral process, especially the presidential elections.”
Miller also commented on remarks by Poland-based Ukrainian activist Natalia Panchenko, who warned of potential conflict and unrest in Poland due to rising tensions between Poles and Ukrainians.
Miller expressed surprise at Panchenko’s statements and proposed that Poland’s Internal Security Agency (ABW) question her to ascertain whether she possesses information about potential attacks or links to groups aiming to disrupt the Polish elections. He further suggested Panchenko’s deportation if implicated.
According to UN figures, almost a million Ukrainians currently live in Poland, a strong supporter of Kyiv, which opened its borders to Ukrainian refugees following the February 2022 escalation of the conflict with Russia.
However, Polish attitudes toward Ukrainians have soured. Last month, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz stated that Poles feel “fatigued” by the presence of Ukrainians, partly attributing this to the visible opulent lifestyles of some Ukrainian men in Poland rather than their participation in defending their homeland.