Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has accused Russia of planning acts of sabotage worldwide, including “acts of air terror” against airlines.
The remarks were made by the Polish Prime Minister at a news conference in Warsaw alongside Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Russia Planning ‘Acts of Air Terror’ – PM Tusk
Tusk did not provide further details but said he could confirm the validity of fears that Russia was planning acts of air terror. These, he said, were not only planned against Poland, but against airlines around the world.
The Polish government has claimed that Russia is planning these acts of ‘hybrid war’ against Poland and other nations, based on their support for Ukraine. The Kremlin has dismissed previous claims that Russia sponsored acts of sabotage and attacks in Europe.
Western security officials suspect Russian intelligence was behind a plot to put explosive devices on cargo planes to North America. One of the packages caught fire at a courier hub in Germany. Another consignment ignited in a warehouse in England last year.
Heightened Tensions Between Russia and the West
Tusk’s accusation comes amid heightened tensions between Russia and the West over the war in Ukraine. The Polish prime minister has been a vocal critic of Russia’s actions in Ukraine. He has publicly called for tougher sanctions against Moscow.
The tragic Christmas Day crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines flight J28243 raised questions about Russian military involvement in its downing. Recent reports increasingly suggest that the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash may have been caused by Russian air defense systems. It is believed that they accidently fired on the aircraft as it approached Grozny airport in Chechnya.
Earlier in October 2024, as global tensions rose, IATA reminded the UN Security Council about nations’ responsibilities toward aviation safety during conflicts.
It is unclear what specific intelligence Tusk is referring to, but his accusation is likely to further damage relations between Russia and the West. It is also likely to increase security concerns for airlines and airports around the world.
Russia has not yet responded to Tusk’s recent accusation. However, the Kremlin has previously denied any involvement in acts of sabotage against Western targets.
Click the banner to subscribe to our weekly newsleter.
Click the photo to join our WhatsApp channel so then you can stay up to date with everything going on in the aviation industry!
