German Arrests Target Alleged Russian-Backed Sabotage of Polish Starlink Ground Station
German police arrested two Turkish citizens on October 12, 2026, on an international warrant issued by Poland over the September 23 arson attack on a Starlink ground station in Wola Krobowska, Poland. Polish interior minister Marcin Kierwiński stated that Warsaw views the incident as a deliberate act of sabotage directed by foreign intelligence services. The fire severely damaged the energy system and generator of the facility, which connects satellite internet traffic for the region and supports Ukrainian military coordination against the Russian invasion.
A fire that hit a Starlink ground station in central Poland on the evening of September 23 is being treated as sabotage.The power station and generator were destroyed. The site is run by state-owned telecom Exatel and handles secure data transmission used by the Ukrainian…
According to media reports, investigators suspect members of the Turkish organized crime group known as the Daltons carried out the physical arson. Security services in multiple countries report that the gang may have acted under instructions from Russian intelligence agencies, though public proof linking the group directly to Moscow remains unconfirmed. The two arrested men are Ümit E. and Müslüm T., and both await extradition hearings at the Higher Regional Court in Stuttgart. German police also detained a woman in Berlin who allegedly acted as a driver, while Polish internal security agents arrested a third suspect, a Ukrainian citizen, who allegedly conducted preliminary reconnaissance of the Wola Krobowska site.
Parallel Attacks and Broader Criminal Networks
The incident in Poland mirrors a similar communications sabotage incident in Bulgaria that remains under active investigation. 11 out of 17 Starlink antennas were burned on the night of October 10 at a telecommunications facility in Plana Mountain. Ivaylo Mirchev publicly disclosed the Plana Mountain arson.
The Daltons syndicate operates extensively across Turkey, Germany, and other European nations, with members linked to extortion, arms trafficking, and contract killings. The alleged leader of the group, Berat Can Gökdemir, was arrested in Russia in 2024, prompting an extradition request from Ankara that Russian authorities refused. German security officials have warned for months that Russian intelligence agencies increasingly rely on organized crime networks to execute sabotage operations across Europe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Daltons criminal group and how do they recruit?
The group operates in Turkey, Germany, and other European countries. They actively use social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Telegram to lure teenagers and minors from Anatolia and Istanbul by displaying luxury lifestyles and recruiting them for contract violence.
What specific damage did the fire cause at the Wola Krobowska station?
The September 23 fire heavily damaged the energy system and generator at the ground station operated by Polish state telecommunication firm Exatel. The facility connects satellite internet traffic for the region.
What has been the official response from Polish leadership?
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk characterized the arson as a hybrid warfare attack, and special services minister Tomasz Semoniak stated that Warsaw holds zero doubt that Russian intelligence orchestrated the fire.
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