Polish authorities are investigating whether a fire at a state-operated telecommunications facility used by Starlink was an attempt to disrupt internet infrastructure serving Poland and Ukraine, putting renewed scrutiny on the ground-based equipment supporting satellite communications.
The fire broke out late Wednesday at a facility in Wola Krobowska, south of Warsaw. Flames damaged power equipment, including a switchboard and generator, before firefighters brought the blaze under control. No injuries were reported.
The facility is operated by Polish state-owned telecommunications company EXATEL and is used by SpaceX systems supporting Starlink connectivity.
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Deputy Prime Minister and Digital Affairs Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski said the infrastructure carries internet traffic through Poland, including traffic toward Ukraine.
Gawkowski told Polish media that authorities believe the fire may have been deliberately intended to disable the facility and interrupt connectivity. Reuters reported that he said the suspected attack could have affected institutions including the Ukrainian military. The systems were operating again by Thursday.
Poland’s Internal Security Agency, or ABW, and the Central Bureau of Police Investigation were notified after the fire, according to Polish broadcaster RMF FM. Initial findings cited by firefighters pointed toward possible arson, although authorities continued examining the cause.
RMF FM later reported, citing an unnamed law-enforcement source, that investigators found a bottle containing flammable material near the burned switchboard. The outlet said the object appeared consistent with an incendiary device, but Polish authorities had not publicly confirmed that finding.
Gawkowski described the incident as potentially part of a broader campaign of hybrid warfare. He said there were indications consistent with Russian tactics, but acknowledged that investigators had not established Russian responsibility. Russia has repeatedly denied involvement in sabotage operations attributed to it in Europe.
