A shocking lapse in military logistics has left Polish lawmakers and citizens deeply concerned about national security after it was revealed that 200 anti-tank mines, weighing over 2.2 tons, traveled across the country for 11 days in an unsecured civilian train wagon. The incident has sparked outrage, with accusations of negligence and mismanagement directed at military authorities and the government.
The controversy began in July last year when a train carrying anti-tank mines departed from Hajnówka in eastern Poland, heading for Mosty near Szczecin in the west. Despite reaching its destination on July 4, the mines were mishandled during unloading by untrained personnel and were temporarily left exposed on a ramp. Days later, it was discovered that five pallets of mines were missing.
After an intensive search, the missing wagon was found far from its intended location—parked at a furniture warehouse near Orla, a small town in northeastern Poland. The discovery of 200 misplaced mines traveling through civilian areas without adequate security has raised serious questions about military oversight and national safety.
“An Unprecedented Event in NATO’s History”
During a press conference, PiS (Law and Justice Party) lawmakers Andrzej Śliwka and Zbigniew Bogucki condemned the incident as “outrageous” and “unprecedented.” Śliwka criticized the leadership of the Military Counterintelligence Service (SKW) under General Stróżyk, accusing them of focusing on political agendas instead of critical security measures.
“This is a situation that has endangered countless lives. Such incidents have never occurred in other countries and should not happen in a NATO member state, especially one bordering a conflict zone,” Śliwka stated. He called for accountability, asserting that if Minister Tomczyk had “a minimum of decency,” he would resign immediately.
Śliwka also accused the Ministry of National Defense (MON) of being distracted by political infighting, particularly highlighting Minister Tomczyk’s alleged preoccupation with supporting his colleague Rafał Trzaskowski’s political campaign.
Negligence and a “Failure of Oversight”
Bogucki echoed Śliwka’s concerns, highlighting critical failures in the chain of command and security protocols. He posed several unanswered questions: “Where was the civilian oversight of the military? Where was the minister, the SKW, and the Military Police? How could such a critical asset be left unprotected for so long?”
The lawmaker also pointed out the broader implications of the incident amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, emphasizing the heightened risk to national security. “These mines, capable of destroying two skyscrapers, were traveling across Poland unchecked while our geopolitical situation demands maximum vigilance,” he said. “This is not just a scandal; it is a national security crisis.”
Broader Political Ramifications
The incident has fueled accusations of systemic negligence within the Polish government and military. Bogucki accused authorities of prioritizing political witch hunts over fulfilling their responsibilities. “Those responsible for oversight seem more focused on persecuting the opposition than ensuring the safety of our citizens,” he remarked.
Public Demands Answers
The revelations have left many Poles demanding transparency and accountability. The opposition has called for an independent investigation, and political analysts suggest that the fallout from this incident could significantly impact public trust in the government ahead of upcoming elections.