Fire in Starlink station in Poland - arrests in Germany

After a fire in a Starlink satellite communications system facility in Poland, Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced the arrest of two suspects in Germany. The German police arrested the two Turkish citizens on behalf of the Polish authorities, Tusk explained on the online service X.

They are therefore suspected of setting fire to the Starlink station in the central Polish region of Mazovia. Tusk spoke of “another act of hybrid warfare.” The Polish government in Warsaw said it suspected Russia was behind the incident.

Station with an important role for Ukrainian armed forces

The station, owned by the state telecommunications company Exatel, was set on fire at the end of September but was not destroyed by the fire. According to the Polish authorities, it is used, among other things, to route internet data through Poland and also to Ukraine. It is also used by SpaceX systems that provide internet connection via Starlink terminals.

Starlink is operated by US tech billionaire Elon Musk's space company SpaceX and plays an important role in the communication of the Ukrainian armed forces. Polish Digital Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski said the day after the fire: "This sabotage was deliberately designed to take the station out of service." The fire "disrupted internet access for various institutions, including the Ukrainian army."

Poland repeatedly accused Russia of sabotage

Musk had activated Starlink services for Ukraine after the start of the Russian invasion in 2022. Poland says it will cover the costs of Ukraine's subscriptions. The Ukrainian military relies on tens of thousands of Starlink terminals for battlefield communications and drone operations.

NATO and EU member Poland has accused Russia of “sabotage” several times since the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine began in February 2022. Poland is the most important transshipment point for Western military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Tusk warned in September of hybrid attacks by Russia using drones or even missiles on Ukraine's allies.