Poland has deployed 10,000 troops to protect critical infrastructure after a series of suspicious incidents, including a passenger train brought to a sudden halt and explosives detonated under a freight train. Warsaw blamed Russian intelligence services for what Western officials describe as a broader campaign of sabotage across Europe.
The incidents are among 145 recorded in an Associated Press database, which officials say are part of a Russian disruption campaign since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The goal, they claim, is to undermine support for Kyiv, foster divisions, and expose security vulnerabilities.
While most acts have caused minimal damage, the head of a major European intelligence service noted that investigations into Russian interference now consume as much agency time as counter-terrorism. “It’s a 24/7 operation between all the services to stop it,” said a senior European intelligence official.
The campaign places a heavy burden on European security resources while costing Russia little, as Moscow uses foreign criminals as cheap proxies to conduct cross-border operations. This forces extensive cooperation among European countries, even when plots fail.
The database shows a spike in arson and explosives plots, from one in 2023 to 26 in 2024, with six already documented in 2025. Poland and Estonia, both bordering Russia, are the most frequently targeted countries. Officials note a temporary lull in late 2024 and early 2025, likely to court the new US administration, but say it has since resumed at full pace.
