A ground-based Starlink satellite communications station in central Poland caught fire. The station provides internet connectivity in the region, including to Ukraine. Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Affairs Krzysztof Gawkowski said the fire was an act of sabotage.
The fire engulfed the station’s power system and backup generator. According to Gawkowski, the aim was to disable the facility, effectively cutting off the internet connection and network access for various institutions, including the Ukrainian military.
As of September 24, the station was operating normally, Reuters reported.
Polish authorities have not yet established who was responsible for the fire. Gawkowski said there were signs that could be consistent with Russia’s new doctrine of attacks. He also described the incident as an element of hybrid warfare.
Starlink activated its service over Ukraine in 2022 after Kyiv appealed for assistance in the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Poland has previously said it pays for Ukraine’s Starlink subscription.
The Ukrainian military uses tens of thousands of Starlink terminals for battlefield communications and some drone operations.
