Polish General Declares 'Pre-War' Period with Russia Amid Escalating Sabotage and Cyberattacks

General Kukula's Stark Warning

On November 17, 2025, General Wieslaw Kukula, the Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, issued a grave warning, stating that Russia has entered a 'pre-war' period with Poland. Speaking to Polskie Radio, General Kukula asserted that Russia is actively 'building an environment here intended to create conditions favourable for potential aggression on Polish territory.' He compared the current situation to the events of 1939, on the eve of World War II, and the height of the Cold War in 1981, emphasizing that 'everything today depends on our attitude — on whether we manage to deter the opponent, or, conversely, encourage them to aggression.'

Escalation of Hybrid Warfare Tactics

General Kukula's declaration comes amidst a significant escalation of alleged Russian-backed hybrid warfare tactics targeting Poland. These include a surge in sabotage operations and persistent cyberattacks. Just hours after Kukula's comments, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that a railway track between Warsaw and Lublin had been blown up in an 'unprecedented act of sabotage.' This railway line is a crucial artery for connecting Ukraine with vital Western aid shipments. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski later described the railway attacks as 'an act of state terrorism' with a 'clear intention to cause human casualties,' and indicated that Poland would withdraw consent for the operation of Russia's last remaining consulate in Gdańsk in response.

Beyond physical sabotage, Poland is grappling with a relentless barrage of cyberattacks. According to a government minister, Poland faces between 20 and 50 cyberattacks daily, with critical infrastructure such as hospitals and city water systems among the targets. While most attacks are thwarted, some have succeeded, forcing healthcare facilities to suspend operations and leading to the acquisition of medical data. A significant Russian-backed hacking attempt last month aimed to shut down the water supply of one of Poland's 10 largest cities, though it was stopped before it could cut off water to residents.

Poland's Response and Preparedness

In response to these escalating threats, Poland has taken concrete steps to bolster its security. The country has increased its cybersecurity budget to a record €1 billion for the current year, up from €600 million in 2024. This includes an allocation of €80 million to strengthen the cyber defenses of water management systems. In October 2025, Polish authorities detained eight individuals suspected of preparing acts of sabotage across the country, with Prime Minister Tusk confirming that these arrests were part of an ongoing intelligence crackdown against foreign-backed subversion. General Kukula affirmed that Poland is 'not defenseless' and possesses 'the full arsenal of tools to respond to such threats either symmetrically or asymmetrically.'

International Context and Warnings

The Polish general's warning echoes concerns raised by other European officials. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius had previously cautioned that Europe might have experienced its 'last peaceful summer,' suggesting that a potential conflict between NATO and Russia could occur sooner than previously estimated. These statements highlight a growing apprehension across Europe regarding Russia's aggressive posture and its use of hybrid tactics to destabilize the region and undermine support for Ukraine.