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UPDATE: Poland says it thwarted Russian-linked cyberattacks on energy infrastructure

15.01.2026 11:45
Poland successfully repelled attempts to destabilise its energy infrastructure at the end of last month, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Thursday, adding that critical infrastructure was never at risk.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk speaks to reporters during a press conference in Warsaw.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk speaks to reporters during a press conference in Warsaw.Photo: PAP/Tomasz Gzell

His remarks followed an emergency meeting with the heads of institutions responsible for energy security after attempted cyberattacks on December 29 and 30.

Tusk said that there were strong indications the incidents were directly linked to Russian security services.

He told reporters that the attacks were limited in scope and did not threaten the transmission grid or the overall stability of the power system.

According to the prime minister, the incidents targeted specific locations, including two combined heat and power plants, and systems used to manage electricity generated from renewable energy sources.

"There was no risk of a system-wide destabilisation or a blackout. That was never on the table,” Tusk said, adding that Poland’s existing security systems proved effective and would continue to function if similar attacks were repeated.

He noted, however, that additional safeguards were needed, particularly given Poland’s energy interconnections with Ukraine, which involve both electricity exports to Ukraine and emergency imports from it.

Energy Minister Miłosz Motyka said last week that an unsuccessful cyberattack had targeted a combined heat-and-power plant and numerous individual renewable energy installations across the country in the final days of 2025.

He said the ministry would increase investment and modernisation of cyber protections in 2026 to counter future attacks more effectively.

Deputy Prime Minister and Digital Affairs Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski said earlier that the attacks appeared to be Russian sabotage aimed at causing a blackout, calling them the largest such assault on Poland’s energy infrastructure in years, but urged the public not to panic, citing well-prepared state institutions.

(tf/gs)

Source: interia.pl