Threat tip triggers emergency security meeting
On Sunday, Polish authorities disclosed they had obtained intelligence pointing to a potential plan to target Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. What exactly the threat involved and where it came from remained unclear at first. Government spokesperson Adam Szłapka stated that Tusk was alerted to the highly alarming danger early on Sunday morning. Per Jacek Dobrzyński, a spokesperson for the minister supervising Poland's intelligence services, the tip initially arrived at the state protection service, which then forwarded it to the police.[S1][S2]
After the warning, Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński and Tomasz Siemoniak, the minister-coordinator of special services, directed a response, with a gathering set for 11:00am at the Internal Security Agency's Counter-Terrorism Centre, as stated by Interior Ministry spokesperson Karolina Galecka. Dobrzyński noted that officials believed there was a strong likelihood the threats would have been executed, and that Polish agencies were fielding a growing number of various threats each month. A representative for the minister-coordinator of special services chose not to elaborate. Radio Zet, a private broadcaster, said police had gotten an email containing threat information.[S1][S2]
School stabbings and hybrid attack fears
This warning followed three school attacks in central Poland's Mazovia province over four days this week, which resulted in one fatality and numerous injuries, including among children. Poland remains on heightened alert amid the stabbings and concerns about a potential Russian hybrid operation designed to erode western backing for Ukraine in its conflict with Moscow's invading forces. Although violent crime is comparatively uncommon in Poland, the nation is sharply divided politically and confronts security risks because of its closeness to the war in Ukraine.[S1][S2]
In August, authorities arrested a 23-year-old man on accusations of urging the killing of top Polish officials. In 2024, Tusk reported receiving threats following an attempt on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's life. Last month, Tusk warned that Russia would probably step up hybrid assaults on Nato's eastern border, and that Moscow intended to launch drone or rocket strikes against European nations supporting Ukraine, including Poland, to diminish western support. Russia has rejected any such intentions.[S1][S2]
