Poland investigates Starlink fire as Denmark warns of Russian threat

Polish prosecutors have opened an investigation into a fire at a Starlink ground-station site, with sabotage among the possibilities being examined. Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski has alleged that the blaze was intended to disrupt internet access for institutions including Ukraine’s army, but the cause and responsibility remain unconfirmed. [6] [11]

The fire broke out on the evening of 23 September in Wola Krobowska, in Poland’s Masovian region. Fire-service spokesman Michał Maroszek said three crews attended and found the casing of a power box burning. The blaze covered about three square metres and nobody was injured; that figure does not establish the full extent of any technical damage. [3] [5]

Speaking on TVP Info on 24 September, Gawkowski, who is also digital affairs minister, described the incident as sabotage designed to disable the station. He associated it with what he called a new Russian attack doctrine, while acknowledging that Russian responsibility could not yet be established with certainty. [5]

Cause and impact under investigation

The district prosecutor’s office in Grójec is leading the inquiry. Prosecutorial spokeswoman Aneta Góźdź said sabotage had not been ruled out. Police said a fire expert was involved and that evidence and surveillance recordings were being secured and analysed. Officers from Poland’s internal security agency, ABW, were also at the scene, examining several possibilities. [3] [6]

RMF FM reported, citing unnamed sources, that a bottle containing a flammable substance had been found beside the burned distribution box. That account has not been officially confirmed. Rzeczpospolita subsequently cited an unnamed source familiar with the proceedings who said both arson and an electrical fault remained possible; prosecutors declined to disclose evidence of that kind at this stage.