World · Europe · 4 hrs ago
Germany detains two Turkish citizens over fire at Polish Starlink station
German police detained two Turkish citizens in connection with a fire last month at a Starlink station in Poland's Masovia region, which includes Warsaw.
Polish officials say the suspects are accused of setting the fire and will face justice in Poland.
The station is owned by Polish state telecommunications company Exatel and carries internet traffic, including to Ukraine.
Poland said the blaze damaged the station's power system and backup generator, but the station remained operational.
Polish officials describe the fire as sabotage and allege that Russian services were behind it; Russia has rejected similar accusations of sabotage and hybrid attacks.
Starlink internet is used by Ukraine's military, and Poland has said it pays for Ukraine's Starlink subscription.
The arrests followed cooperation between Polish and German services, and the suspects are expected to face the Polish justice system.
German police detained two Turkish citizens suspected of setting fire to a Starlink station in Poland, Polish officials said on Monday.
The fire occurred last month at a station in central Poland that carries internet traffic, including to Ukraine.
Polish officials said they believe the incident was sabotage and that Russian services were behind it.
Polish Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski said the suspects face charges of sabotage and espionage on behalf of a foreign intelligence service.
The station remained operational after the fire, according to Le Monde.
- Who
- Two Turkish citizens were detained in Germany.
- What
- They are suspected of setting fire to a Starlink station in Poland. Polish officials described the incident as sabotage.
- When
- The arrests were announced on Monday, October 12, 2026. The fire happened last month, in late September according to Le Monde.
- Where
- The suspects were detained in Germany; the fire was at a Starlink station in Masovia, central Poland.
- Why
- Polish officials said the fire was intended to disrupt internet services, including services used by Ukraine's military. Poland said it believes Russian services were behind the incident.
Poland
Russia
Responsibility for the fire
Poland
Poland said Russian services were behind the incident and described it as sabotage.
Russia
Russia says accusations of hybrid warfare or systemic sabotage are baseless or anti-Russian hysteria.
A fire broke out at a Starlink station in central Poland.
Polish officials said two Turkish citizens had been detained in Germany in connection with the fire.
- Suspects
- Two Turkish citizens
- Detention location
- Germany
- Fire location
- Starlink station in Masovia, central Poland
- Fire timing
- Late September 2026
- Station owner
- Exatel, a state-owned telecommunications company
- Alleged charge
- Sabotage and espionage on behalf of a foreign intelligence service
What people are saying
this is another act of hybrid warfare
We have no doubt that Russian services are behind this act of sabotage, and it is worth adding that Russian services are increasingly turning to individuals linked to the criminal underworld
it is worth adding that Russian services are increasingly turning to individuals linked to the criminal underworld
Sources
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