Polish prosecutors opened a terrorism investigation on August 31 after a fire at the WB Electronics factory in Skarzysko-Kamienna was deliberately set, authorities said. The blaze was caused by a device containing flammable materials, which is being treated as an act of sabotage [1, 2, 3].
Firefighters spent about two hours containing the fire early on August 31. No injuries were reported, but preliminary damage estimates are around 15 million zlotys (approximately $4 million) [1, 2, 4, 3].
WB Electronics produces drone components and unmanned systems used by the Polish and Ukrainian militaries, including the FlyEye and Warmate drones. It is part of WB Group, one of Poland's largest private defense manufacturers [2, 4, 3].
Poland’s Internal Security Agency (ABW) and police are cooperating in the investigation. ABW spokesman Jacek Dobrzynski said officers are working to determine whether the fire qualifies as sabotage [1, 2, 4]. Surveillance footage reportedly showed a masked person entering the factory around the time of the fire, though no suspects have been publicly named or charged [4, 3].
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed the fire was a deliberate act of sabotage and linked it to broader Russian efforts to destabilize Eastern Europe amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. "In the case of Skarzysko-Kamienna, there is no doubt that there was deliberate arson, in other words, an act of sabotage," Tusk said on September 2 [3]. He added, "The coming weeks and months will be critical not only with regard to the Russian-Ukrainian war as a whole, but will also be a very major challenge for all countries in this part of Europe because of Russian plans to increase tensions and destabilization" [3].
Authorities noted a second recent fire occurred at JFG Composites, a company specializing in aviation and unmanned aircraft parts, raising further security concerns [3].
The investigation continues with security agencies probing the origins of the device used to ignite the fire and reviewing all evidence, including surveillance footage. No charges have been filed as of today, September 2 [3].
