Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Affairs, Krzysztof Gawkowski, accused Russia on Tuesday of attempting to provoke a major blackout in Poland, saying December's failed attacks on the energy infrastructure were likely acts of sabotage to destabilize the grid and public confidence.
“The latest attack in recent years was not random,” he said. “It was designed to cause a blackout. That was the goal,” he said.
The comments mark one of the strongest statements from Warsaw linking a series of disruptions directly to Russian intent, at a time when tensions in the region remain high and cybersecurity threats have grown more brazen.
The incidents, which affected power substations and transmission lines, included unexplained outages and disruptions that energy operators initially attributed to equipment failures or weather. But authorities have since been investigating the possibility of external interference, and Gawkowski’s remarks suggest the suspicions have hardened into a formal attribution.
He said the objective was a form of psychological warfare. A prolonged blackout, he warned, could have far-reaching effects on national security, public services and the cohesion of society at a time when Poland stands as a frontline supporter of Ukraine against Russian aggression.
The government has not released specific evidence publicly, citing national security and ongoing investigations, but Gawkowski’s statement reflects a broader trend in Warsaw: a growing readiness to name and confront what officials see as hybrid threats emanating from Moscow, whether in the form of cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns or pressure on critical infrastructure.
Poland shares a long land border with Ukraine and has played a pivotal role in the West’s response to Russia’s full-scale invasion. Warsaw hosts significant NATO deployments and has consistently advocated for stronger defense cooperation and sanctions against Moscow. The stance has drawn criticism inside Russia, where government media and officials have routinely characterized Poland as a hostile actor in the conflict, blaming it for escalation and for supporting “anti-Russian forces.”
International cybersecurity analysts have documented an uptick in hostile operations targeting critical infrastructure across Europe, especially since 2022, including attempts to infiltrate power grids, telecommunications networks and industrial control systems.
Energy experts caution that confirmation of deliberate sabotage will take time and careful forensic work. Power grids are complex systems where equipment age, maintenance practices, and natural events also factor into disruptions. But the suggestion that an external actor sought to trigger a blackout raises urgent questions about preparedness and response capabilities across Europe, especially as power networks become more interconnected and reliant on digital control systems.
By Jo Harper in Warsaw
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr