Poland Blames Russian Intelligence for Starlink Station Arson; Suspects Arrested in Germany
A fire broke out at a Starlink ground station in Wola Krobowska, Poland, about 50 kilometers south of Warsaw, on September 23, 2026, damaging power supply equipment and briefly disrupting internet service used by Ukraine's military. Polish officials called it sabotage and said Russian intelligence services were behind it. German police arrested two Turkish nationals in Nürtingen, Baden-Württemberg, and a third suspect in Berlin; Polish authorities seek their transfer to face charges of sabotage and working for a foreign intelligence service. A separate fire at a Starlink facility near Sofia, Bulgaria, was confirmed by Bulgaria's prime minister.
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Starlink Antenna Fires in Bulgaria After Poland Sabotage Attack
Following an attack on a Starlink ground station in Poland, a fire has also occurred at a Starlink facility in Bulgaria, near Sofia. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radew confirmed the incident in parliament, though he declined to provide details due to ongoing investigations. The pro-Western opposition coalition Democratic Bulgaria reported that eleven of 17 antennas at a secret Starlink site near Sofia were deliberately set on fire on September 9; these antennas served as main connections to SpaceX and were used in the Ukraine war. The opposition suspects a link to Russia. On September 23, a fire also broke out at a Starlink terminal south of Warsaw. In Germany, four suspects have been arrested, including two Turkish nationals near Nürtingen, suspected of setting the Polish station on fire. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called it "another act of hybrid warfare" and Warsaw suspects Russian intelligence services.
Starlink Antenna Fires in Bulgaria After Poland Sabotage Attack
Following an attack on a Starlink ground station in Poland, a fire has also occurred at a Starlink facility in Bulgaria. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radew confirmed the incident near Sofia during a parliamentary question session, though he declined to provide details due to ongoing investigations. The pro-Western opposition coalition Democratic Bulgaria had earlier publicized the fire, alleging that eleven of seventeen antennas at a secret Starlink site near Sofia were deliberately set on fire on September 9. These antennas reportedly served as the main connection to SpaceX and were used in the Ukraine war. The opposition suspects a connection to Russia. On September 23, a fire also broke out at a Starlink terminal south of Warsaw. In Germany, four suspects have been arrested, including two Turkish nationals detained near Nürtingen station on suspicion of setting the Polish Starlink station on fire. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the act as "another act of hybrid warfare" and Warsaw suspects Russian intelligence services.
Three Sabotage Suspects Arrested in Germany After Starlink Station Fire in Poland
Three suspected saboteurs were arrested in Germany in connection with a fire that broke out at a Starlink ground station in Wola Krobowska, Poland, on September 23. Two Turkish passport holders were detained in Nürtingen, Baden-Württemberg, and a third suspect in Berlin, believed to be the head of the small commando unit responsible for logistics. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed the German-Polish manhunt success on X and expects the suspects to be transferred to Polish authorities soon. Polish Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński said the suspects will face charges of sabotage and working for a foreign intelligence service. Poland's intelligence coordinator Tomasz Siemoniak stated there is no doubt that Russian intelligence services are behind the sabotage, noting they increasingly use individuals with connections to the criminal world. The station is critical for internet supply to Central and Eastern Europe, especially Ukraine's military defense.
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Germany Arrests Two Suspected Saboteurs After Starlink Station Arson in Poland
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on X that German police arrested two Turkish citizens suspected of setting fire to a Starlink satellite internet station in Masovia, Poland, on September 23. The arrests occurred at a train station in Nürtingen, Baden-Württemberg, with a possible third suspect detained in Berlin-Spandau. Polish officials, including Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski and intelligence coordinator Tomasz Siemoniak, stated they have no doubt Russian intelligence services were behind the sabotage, allegedly using individuals with criminal connections. Polish police chief Marek Boron said investigators secured fingerprints, DNA traces, and movement records. The suspects are expected to face Polish justice on charges of sabotage and working for a foreign intelligence service. The station's outage could have disrupted internet service used by Ukraine in its war against Russia.
Read sourcePoland Says Two Turks Arrested Over Russia-Linked Starlink Station Fire
Poland has announced the arrest of two Turkish nationals in connection with a fire that destroyed a ground-based Starlink satellite communications station in Wola Krobowska, Poland. The station burned down on September 23, 2026, and the Polish government suspects the incident was an act of sabotage linked to Russian intelligence. According to reports, German authorities also detained two individuals in connection with the Starlink arson. Polish officials have accused Russian intelligence of orchestrating the sabotage of Elon Musk's Starlink infrastructure. The arrests and detentions span multiple countries, with suspects held in both Poland and Germany. The investigation continues as authorities work to establish the full scope of the alleged operation.