Associated Press reports: Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has accused Russia of orchestrating a campaign of sabotage targeting airlines worldwide, including plans for “acts of air terror.” Speaking at a press conference in Warsaw alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Tusk stated, “I will not go into details, I can only confirm the validity of fears that Russia was planning acts of air terror, not only against Poland, but against airlines around the world.”
Western security officials suspect Russian intelligence of placing incendiary devices in packages on cargo planes destined for North America. Incidents last year included a fire at a courier hub in Germany and another in a warehouse in England.
Additionally, late last year, an Azerbaijani airliner crashed in Kazakhstan, resulting in 38 fatalities. Azerbaijan accused Russia of unintentionally shooting down the aircraft. Russian President Vladimir Putin apologized for the “tragic incident” but did not admit responsibility.
The Polish government contends that Russia is engaging in hybrid warfare against Poland and other Western nations in retaliation for their support of Ukraine amid Russia’s full-scale invasion. Warsaw has also accused Russia and its ally Belarus of instigating a migration crisis on the EU’s eastern border to sow chaos and division within the bloc.
In response to these alleged acts of sabotage, including arson attacks purportedly sponsored by Moscow, Poland’s foreign minister ordered the closure of one of three Russian consulates in the country last year.
The Kremlin has consistently dismissed Western allegations of sponsoring sabotage and attacks in Europe.
