Danish intelligence raises sabotage alert as Poland temporarily evacuates eastern border crossings

Danish intelligence assessment

Danish Defence Minister Jeppe Bruus and the head of the Danish Defence Intelligence Service (FE), Thomas Ahrenkiel, presented a new threat assessment on 24 September. Bruus stated that the security situation in Europe is the most serious since the end of the Cold War. The assessment elevated the threat level of sabotage directed against the Danish armed forces to high, while also warning of military provocations against NATO members. According to the FE report, potential Russian targets include weapons manufacturers and transport networks supporting Ukraine.

“It cannot be ruled out, that is new.”

Ahrenkiel noted that while a direct conventional attack on Denmark remains unlikely, a small and growing risk exists that Russia could initiate an armed attack against a NATO state bordering Russia during the ongoing war in Ukraine. The Danish Public Security Agency raised the cyberattack threat level against critical Danish infrastructure from medium to high. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen confirmed that Denmark will maintain its support for Ukraine despite Russian pressure.

Border incidents and Polish security

On the morning of 24 September, Russian drone strikes near the Ukrainian border with Poland prompted emergency precautionary measures. Border crossings in Lubelskie Voivodeship, including Dorohusk, Zosin, and Hrubieszow, halted processing and evacuated civilians to shelters and secure locations. The Government Security Centre issued alerts to residents after 07:00, though border authorities confirmed that Polish airspace was not breached. Border guard spokesman Dariusz Sienicki stated that the disruption lasted under thirty minutes before normal operations resumed across all regional crossings, including Dolhobyczow and Hrebenne.

“When we were talking just a moment ago, Ukraine was attacked again near the border with Poland, and again we had to evacuate border crossings in Hrubieszow and Dorohusk. Can you imagine what losses and nerves this causes?”

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also reported a fire affecting infrastructure that provides Starlink satellite connectivity to Ukraine, noting that investigations are ongoing to determine whether the event was sabotage or an accident.

Southern flank vulnerabilities

Concerns over Russian hybrid operations extend to southern Europe, where Spanish media reported warnings regarding infrastructure risks. Assessments cited by El Mundo indicated that Russian shadow fleet vessels operate in Spanish waters, with sanctioned oil shipments entering Mediterranean ports such as Ceuta, Huelva, and Cartagena. Spain hosts more than 30 undersea communications cables, presenting vulnerabilities similar to Baltic Sea infrastructure targeted by Russian operations.

The Spanish reports noted that unidentified drones have appeared over domestic airports, while Spanish Reaper drones remain unarmed and existing air defence systems do not cover the entire national territory. Security officials also identified risks stemming from Russian influence across the Sahel region and parts of North Africa, including Algeria and Libya.

Regional defence cooperation

During security talks in Warsaw on 24 September, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev met Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Discussions focused on strengthening NATO eastern flank security, defence industry cooperation, energy, transport, space technology, and satellite communications. Radev requested continued Polish support for the maintenance and repair of Bulgaria's fleet of MiG-29 fighter aircraft.

“The risk of a wider conflict with Russia is growing, which requires broad cooperation in many areas.”

Polish officials confirmed ongoing efforts to develop national defence capabilities, pointing to recent contracts for Piorun air defence systems alongside new agreements on military satellite communications.