Polish security services investigate sabotage at WB Electronics drone factory in Poland
A fire that broke out at night at the WB Electronics factory in Skarżysko-Kamienna is being investigated as possible sabotage. Security cameras captured a masked person entering the premises.
Polish security services investigate sabotage at drone factory supplying Ukraine
Digi24 reports that a fire broke out in the early hours of Monday morning at a production facility of WB Electronics in Skarżysko-Kamienna, Poland. The factory produces components for unmanned aerial and ground systems used by both the Polish and Ukrainian armed forces.
According to Onet, the fire was reported at around 00:23 on 31 August in a production building. Shortly afterwards, a security operator alerted police after an intrusion sensor was triggered on the premises.
Security cameras captured an unidentified person wearing a balaclava who entered the premises by climbing over the perimeter fence. A rucksack and a hoodie were later found near the factory.
Five fire service units responded to the scene and extinguished the fire. The facility was not in operation at the time the fire broke out, and authorities reported no casualties.
Mobilised Polish authorities included police officers, a search dog team and a drone with thermal imaging technology. Poland's Internal Security Agency (ABW) and the Military Counterintelligence Service were also involved in the response operation.
The cause of the fire has not been officially established, but intentional arson is among the scenarios being considered. "We are treating this matter with extreme seriousness," a spokesman for Poland's information services coordinator said, according to Onet.
The affected unit produces pumping systems used in unmanned aerial vehicles and unmanned ground platforms.
WB Electronics is the parent company of WB Group, Poland's largest private defence group. The group develops and manufactures several unmanned systems, including the FlyEye and FT-5 reconnaissance drones, as well as the Warmate and Gladius attack systems. The FlyEye drones and Warmate loitering munitions are among the platforms used by Ukrainian forces.
The incident comes amid growing tension in the region. On 17 August, Poland's Deputy Defence Minister Cezary Tomczyk said that Warsaw was preparing for the possibility of war, warning that a large-scale provocation from the Kremlin could occur "within several months".
Source: Digi24