MediumII Cyber Warfare & Critical Infrastructure23 September 2026, Wednesday · 22:00 TRT (UTC+3)
Fire at Starlink ground station in Poland that also carries internet to Ukraine: Deputy Prime Minister Gawkowski calls it arson and sabotage
A fire broke out at around 21:00 local time on 23 September at a Starlink ground station operated by state operator Exatel in Wola Krobowska, south of Warsaw. Officials say a power unit and generator burned, the station remains operational, and the ABW has opened an investigation.
According to a Notes from Poland report dated 24 September, the fire broke out at around 21:00 on Wednesday night (23 September), and police and the Internal Security Agency (ABW) were dispatched to the site. The facility serves Central and Eastern Europe, including Ukraine; a twin station operates in Lithuania. Krzysztof Gawkowski, Deputy Prime Minister for Digital Affairs, said the method bore the hallmarks of Russian work, while adding that a definitive judgement was not possible at this stage. According to the same report, Poland is the most targeted country in Europe, accounting for 31 of the 151 sabotage incidents recorded since 2022; in August, WB Electronics' drone factory was hit by arson.
According to an ABC News report dated 25 September at 05:46, Gawkowski said the fire engulfed the power station and generator and that the act was designed to knock the station out of service; the station is operating normally. ABC reports that Ukraine relies on tens of thousands of Starlink terminals for frontline communications and drone operations, and that Poland has previously funded some of these subscriptions. On the same day, Danish intelligence warned that the risk of a limited military attack on NATO border states in the coming months is low but rising; Russia consistently denies involvement in such incidents.
Talay assessment
Bottom line
The strike on data centres in Kyiv and the targeting of the Starlink station in Poland on the same day show that Ukraine's internet connectivity is under pressure both at the front and on NATO territory. Although no perpetrator has been formally identified, the most likely path is that Poland steps up protection of its critical telecoms infrastructure and the investigation proceeds within a hybrid warfare framework.
Likely effects
- Ukraine's satellite connectivityNegativeWeeks
Ground stations are a single point of failure for frontline communications that rely on tens of thousands of Starlink terminals; even though the attack failed, it exposed the need for redundancy.
- NATO critical infrastructureNegative1–6 months
Poland's experience of 31 of Europe's 151 sabotage incidents puts additional resources for the physical protection of telecoms and energy facilities on the eastern flank on the agenda.
- Implications for TürkiyeUncertain1–6 months
Connectivity infrastructure such as satellite ground stations and undersea cables becoming hybrid-attack targets brings Türkiye's protection plans for its own ground stations and cable landing points to the fore.
Possibilities, ranked
- 1Investigation continues, protection rises55%
The ABW investigation continues and no perpetrator is conclusively named, but Poland tightens security at critical telecoms facilities.
Watch: Detention and charge announcements by the ABW or Polish prosecutors
- 2Russian link is made official30%
Detentions and evidence tie the incident to Russian intelligence, and Poland takes diplomatic or sanctions measures.
Watch: Polish government decision regarding Russian diplomatic missions
- 3Accident or local cause15%
The inquiry finds the arson was not state-sponsored or identifies a different cause, and tensions ease.
Watch: Official statement on the preliminary findings of the investigation
Probabilities are calibrated judgement based on the sources, not measurement, and are revised as new information arrives. Not investment advice.
Market reaction
Indicators affected
- Poland in European sabotage▼ 31 of 151
- Station status▲ Operational