Disrupted plot to contaminate a key city's water system in Poland
In a significant security development, Polish authorities successfully foiled a cyberattack aimed at disrupting the water supply of one of the country's large cities on August 13, 2025. The exact city was not disclosed for security reasons.
The attack, a cyber intrusion intended to sabotage the water supply system, could have potentially cut off water access to millions. However, thanks to timely detection, security services swiftly shut down compromised systems, preventing any disruption.
Poland faces elevated cyber threats due to its strategic role as a logistics hub supporting Ukraine amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Suspicions point towards Russian and Belarusian intelligence orchestrating such sabotage attempts as part of a broader campaign targeting Polish critical infrastructure.
This incident is part of a series of cyberattacks against Polish critical infrastructure over recent months, including attacks on hydropower plants, water treatment stations, and wastewater facilities, predominantly attributed to pro-Russian hackers.
Despite these threats, Poland reportedly thwarts 99% of cyberattacks and is investing heavily (over $800 million planned) to enhance its cybersecurity, especially at the local government level that controls most critical infrastructure.
In a related security incident, a 17-year-old Ukrainian youth was detained on suspicion of sabotage activities on behalf of foreign intelligence, underscoring a complex security environment.
The Polish Deputy Prime Minister, Krzysztof Gawkowski, stated that the sabotage attempt could have left one of the country's largest cities without water. However, he did not provide details on how the intelligence services stopped the attack.
This near-successful cyberattack reflects both the increasing cyber threats faced by Poland and its robust cybersecurity defenses. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and investment in cybersecurity to protect critical infrastructure.
In light of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, the cyberattack on Poland's water supply system, initially aimed at disrupting a large city, has raised concerns about foreign intelligence involvement in sabotage activities. Interestingly, this incident, while part of a series of similar attacks on Polish critical infrastructure such as hydropower plants and water treatment stations, has been thwarted by Poland's impressive 99% success rate in tackling cyber threats, which has led to substantial investments in cybersecurity, especially at the local government level.
