Poland launches Operation Horizon as sabotage threats rise

By Jo Harper

WARSAW (AA) - Poland unveiled a major internal security initiative on Wednesday, launching Operation Horizon, a plan that could mobilize up to 10,000 soldiers to guard critical infrastructure and counter what officials describe as a growing wave of sabotage attempts tied to Russian intelligence operations. Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz announced the move at a news conference in Warsaw.

Kosiniak-Kamysz said the activation of Operation Horizon marks only the first step in strengthening Poland’s security architecture. The plan requires formal approval from both the prime minister and the president and is expected to begin within days, pending those sign-offs.

Additional measures are under consideration, including the potential expulsion of Russian diplomats, expanded cyber-defense programs and more assertive counterintelligence activity.

Standing alongside senior military leaders and Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski, Kosiniak-Kamysz said the security situation in Europe has deteriorated sharply, requiring far closer cooperation among Polish agencies.

“We are presenting Operation Horizon — support by the Polish Armed Forces for security and critical infrastructure protection,” he said. “We are increasing cooperation between all services to counteract acts of sabotage and improve the level of security of citizens. The situation requires such commitment.”

The push follows a series of confirmed and suspected sabotage attempts on Polish railway lines. Government officials have accused Russian intelligence handlers of directing Ukrainian citizens to carry out the attacks.

General Wladyslaw Kukula, Chief of the General Staff, said the initiative reflects a fundamental shift in internal defense planning. “The government of Prime Minister Tusk and Deputy Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz has elevated the level of cooperation between Defense Ministry units and Interior Ministry services to unprecedented levels,” Kukula said.

Kierwinski said the military will now work directly with the police, Internal Security Agency (ABW), border guards and counterintelligence services. “Every day and every week, operations are carried out to prevent hostile actions against Poland,” he said.

Under Operation Horizon, soldiers will assist in monitoring rail, energy and telecommunications infrastructure, while joint units will carry out rapid-response operations against attempted sabotage. Intelligence-sharing among agencies will be expanded and local authorities will be incorporated into crisis-response structures.

Kosiniak-Kamysz and Kierwinski said the request to activate the operation has been submitted to Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who must then forward it to President Karol Nawrocki for final approval.

The move comes amid an escalating dispute between the government and President Nawrocki over control of Poland’s intelligence services, with Nawrocki seeking a broader role in overseeing secret-service operations.

Tusk said he spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding the arrests and identification of Ukrainian citizens who allegedly cooperated with Russian handlers to sabotage Polish rail infrastructure.

“I told President Zelensky that Poland expects the immediate transfer of all data that will help us identify threats arising from the cooperation of Russian intelligence services with certain Ukrainian citizens,” Tusk said.

According to Polish officials, two suspects linked to separate incidents — including an explosion on a railway track near Mika station — fled Poland through the Terespol crossing into Belarus. Their identities have not been made public, and investigations are ongoing.