Poland Deploys Counterterrorism Police Near Russia Border

Poland has deployed counterterrorism police and officers from several regions to its northeast after receiving intelligence warnings of possible sabotage near Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave, Polish police chief Marek Boroń said on Monday, Nov. 2.The preventive operation covers the Warmian-Masurian and Podlaskie regions. Police are coordinating with the military, border guards and intelligence services, while a command center has been set up at the National Police Headquarters in Warsaw, Boroń told RMF FM.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.“Police are securing the Kaliningrad region against possible events that could lead to acts of sabotage,” Boroń said, adding that the operation was based in part on information from external services. He said officers were tasked with protecting residents and infrastructure.Polish military intelligence and allied services warned the government last week that sabotage could take place near the border in the coming days, RMF FM reported, citing unnamed security sources. The warning reportedly included the possibility of armed groups crossing into Poland from Russia. Authorities have not reported a confirmed incursion or an attack connected to the current warning.Police deny the operation is linked to a political disputeThe National Police Headquarters established the command center, with regional police headquarters in Olsztyn and Białystok also involved. Boroń said officers had been transferred from several provinces and that counterterrorism units were taking part. Other Topics of Interest US Sets Ukraine-Russia Talks in Abu Dhabi as Trump Pushes for Peace Deal US, Ukrainian, and Russian officials are set to meet in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 10-11 as Washington pushes for a peace deal, with security guarantees and post-war arrangements high on the agenda. Polish police also said an order requiring officers to remain at full readiness from Nov. 2 to 8 was related to sabotage and subversion threats. The order had prompted speculation that the mobilization was connected to a dispute around Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal. Boroń denied that link, according to Polish media.The operation comes amid broader Polish concerns about sabotage and other activity attributed by Warsaw to Russian intelligence. Poland has previously investigated suspected sabotage plots targeting railway lines and infrastructure supporting Ukraine. In October, Polish authorities probed an alleged plan to set fire to a factory producing military drones for Ukraine after a Russia-linked recruiter reportedly offered $30,000 for an arson attack.In November 2025, Polish prosecutors described railway attacks as acts of sabotage carried out on behalf of a foreign intelligence service. Prime Minister Donald Tusk said two suspects were working for Russian intelligence, an allegation reported at the time by Polish authorities. Moscow has denied responsibility for sabotage in Europe.Kaliningrad borders 2 NATO membersKaliningrad is a Russian exclave on the Baltic Sea, bordered by Poland and Lithuania, both NATO members. The operation also covers Podlaskie, which borders Belarus and Lithuania. The region includes the Suwałki Gap, a narrow stretch of land between Kaliningrad and Belarus that links the Baltic states to other NATO allies by land.The police deployment follows repeated warnings from Polish officials about possible hybrid operations. Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned in October that Russia could intensify sabotage and other hybrid attacks against Poland and the Baltic states before Christmas. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski has also described Russian hybrid activity in Europe as a continuing campaign involving sabotage, arson and cyberattacks.Poland has not publicly detailed the specific intelligence behind the latest alert. Police said the operation is preventive and aimed at safeguarding people and facilities while authorities monitor the situation. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 90% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.