Poland rail sabotage blasts ‘act of state-sponsored terror’ by Russia, says Polish foreign minister – Europe live

8.51am GMT Poland’s Sikorski says he will speak with Nato’s secretary general Mark Rutte later today, and will “brief” the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union tomorrow about the latest on the rail sabotage incident. 8.48am GMT Poland to withdraw consent for Russia's last consulate in Poland Speaking at a press conference after his speech in Sejm, Sikorski says that responding to the rail sabotage incidents, Poland will withdraw consent for – effectively close down – the last remaining Russian consulate in Poland, the northern Polish city of Gdańsk. The previous two, in Poznań and Kraków, were closed in response to previous incidents of sabotage, which Poland alleged were inspired by Russia. Updated at 8.48am GMT 8.31am GMT Rail sabotage incidents 'act of state-sponsored terror' by Russia, Poland's foreign minister says Poland’s foreign minister, Radosław Sikorski, is now speaking in the Polish parliament. He calls the rail sabotage incidents over the weekend “an act of state-sponsored terror” from Russia adding “the clear intention was to cause human casualties”. He also warns against a “tsunami” of disinformation about the attack. He says that Poland will respond to the sabotage, “not only diplomatically”, without offering more detail. He then shifts the focus of his speech, mounting a passionate defence of Poland’s membership in the EU against the Eurosceptic opposition. He pointedly uses Britain as the prime example that being outside the union is worse, as he talks about the negative consequences for the UK economy, while “migrants still keep coming in as before – just not from the EU, but from the poorer regions of the world”. “Nearly ten years after Brexit, the promised benefits still haven’t realised for the British people. And we are talking about one of the world’s largest economies, after all. Do you really believe that Poland will fare better outside the community?” Updated at 8.44am GMT 8.26am GMT Morning opening: Nine dead after intense Russian strike on western Ukraine At least nine people died in a Russian attack on western Ukraine overnight, with dozens wounded, the country’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said. Zelenskyy said that Russia launched more than 470 attack drones and 48 missiles overnight. “Every brazen attack against ordinary life proves that the pressure on Russia is still insufficient,” he warned. “Russia must be held accountable for its actions, and we must stay focused on everything that strengthens us and enables us to shoot down Russian missiles, neutralise Russian drones, and stop assaults,” he added. The attack comes just hours before Zelenskyy is expected in Turkey as he hopes to reinvigorate frozen peace talks, which have faltered after several rounds of Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul this year failed to yield a breakthrough. Related: Ukraine war briefing: Kyiv seeks $44bn from Russia for climate-warming war emissions The overnight attack was so intense that neighbouring Poland was forced to close two airports and scramble its fighter jets to patrol airspace near the border with Ukraine as a precautionary measure. Poland’s foreign minister, Radosław Sikorski, is due to speak in the Polish parliament in the next few minutes, outlining the country’s diplomatic response to the alleged Russian rail sabotage attacks over the weekend. Related: Ukrainians working for Russia were behind rail blasts, alleges Polish PM We will also look at the latest defence and AI announcements from the European Commission, the latest on Danish local elections, and monitor Lithuania as the country is expected to review its decision to close its borders with Belarus. Lots for us to cover. It’s Wednesday, 19 November 2025, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live. Good morning.