Poland plans to give its railway protection service powers to neutralize drones threatening rail infrastructure. A government draft published on Friday outlines the proposed changes.
The Infrastructure Ministry prepared the draft amendment to the Railway Transport Act, and the Prime Minister’s Office published the text.
The measure expands the powers of the Railway Security Guard, known as SOK. Guards would receive the authority to use devices capable of destroying or disabling unmanned aircraft.
These changes grant railway guards powers closer to those of other security services by introducing equipment designed to counter unmanned aircraft.
Guards could also use firearms in broader circumstances. This includes disabling drones in cases covered by aviation law.
Other provisions expand the ability of guards to record interventions and pursue suspects across private land.
The government stated the changes aim to adapt SOK powers to contemporary threats. Officials want to strengthen the protection of railway infrastructure, which forms part of Poland’s critical network.
Warsaw has hardened critical transport networks following sabotage incidents amid growing concern over alleged Russian hybrid operations.
Sabotage incidents occurred last November on the Warsaw-Lublin line when explosives damaged a section of track near Mika.
Another incident near Pulawy involved damage to overhead infrastructure, where a metal clamp was placed on the track in an attempt to derail a train.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that two Ukrainian nationals working with Russian intelligence orchestrated the attacks. He described the events as among the most serious acts of sabotage in Poland since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Concerns have also grown about drone activity around sensitive sites. A parliamentary inquiry in July cited cases involving drone flights near railway locations, raising questions about security powers near strategically important facilities.
The draft legislation arrives as Warsaw warns that Russian sabotage, cyber operations, and hybrid activity pose a direct threat to Poland and other NATO states.
