Third suspect arrested after fire at Starlink ground station
A woman was arrested in Berlin, according to Polish media, and may have played a logistical role.
Follow-up to: Poland reports two arrests after Starlink fire Monday, 12 October 2026, 20:58
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A third suspect has been arrested in Berlin in an investigation into a fire at a Starlink ground station in Poland. Polish media report that the woman may have brought the two previously arrested suspects to Poland; that logistical role has not yet been independently confirmed.
The arrest took place in Berlin, according to Polish reports. Polish public broadcaster TVP writes, citing RMF FM, that the suspect is a woman arrested by counter-terrorism units. Radio ZET reports that the Polish police have confirmed the arrest, but that the precise circumstances have not yet been made public.
The fire broke out on 23 September at a Starlink ground station in Wola Krobowska, in the Mazovia region. Poland is investigating the case as possible sabotage. On Monday, two Turkish nationals were already arrested in Germany who, according to Polish authorities, may have been involved in the fire. They are awaiting a decision on their transfer to Poland.
According to TVP, the third suspect may have helped with the operation's logistics as a driver. Radio ZET refers to local reports stating that she may have brought the two men to Poland. This makes her a suspect in involvement according to the available sources, but it is not a finding of guilt, and the Polish authorities have not published the full body of evidence.
The Polish government says the fire may have been part of sabotage ordered by a foreign intelligence service. Polish ministers have pointed to Russia. That attribution has not been independently established. Nor has it been made public what concrete indications the Polish services have for this; Russia has rejected similar accusations in the past.
The ground station is owned by Polish telecoms company Exatel and, according to German and Polish reports, processes internet traffic through Poland and towards Ukraine. Starlink, SpaceX's satellite system, is used by Ukrainian armed forces for communications. As a result, an incident at a Polish station has not only a local but also a broader security dimension.
The case is still at the investigation stage. Proceedings are under way against the two men on the basis of a European Arrest Warrant. No complete public information is yet available on the third suspect's legal position, any charges or a possible transfer.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- A third suspect has been arrested in Germany in a Polish investigation into a fire at a Starlink station.
- Poland suspects Russia of involvement, but that attribution has not yet been independently proven.
- The suspects have not yet been convicted.
Left
Arguments The emphasis is on protecting critical infrastructure, international cooperation and the need to take Russian influence seriously without declaring suspects guilty in advance.
Values The rule of law, European solidarity and the protection of public services.
Consequences A firm but careful approach may deter sabotage; premature accusations could heighten escalation and distrust.
Centre
Arguments The case should be investigated through the police and the courts. Political interpretation may be necessary, but must not replace the evidential standard.
Values Institutional reliability, proportionality and international legal assistance.
Consequences A thorough investigation takes time, but prevents security policy from being built on unproven assumptions.
Right
Arguments Attacks on infrastructure supporting Ukraine and European communications must be dealt with firmly and must not be played down.
Values National security, deterrence and the protection of strategic interests.
Consequences Swift prosecution and tighter security could make future attacks more difficult; a lack of resolve could invite further actions.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The new arrest and the earlier two arrests have been confirmed by multiple public sources. The text correctly marks the logistical role and Russian involvement as unproven.
- confirmed A third suspect has been arrested in Berlin. — TVP Info and Radio ZET/PAP reported the arrest on 13 October. source
- uncertain The third suspect may have had a logistical or driving role. — This is attributed to RMF FM and local Polish reporting; official details are limited. source
- confirmed The fire took place in Wola Krobowska on 23 September. — The location and date appear in Polish reporting and earlier German reporting. source
- confirmed Russian involvement has not been independently established. — The available sources report a Polish suspicion, not publicly proven Russian direction. source
Editor's note
The third arrest has been reported by Polish media and the Polish police. The alleged logistical role and possible Russian direction have not yet been independently established.Sources
The story so far
- Monday, 12 October 2026, 20:58 Poland reports two arrests after Starlink fire
- Tuesday, 13 October 2026, 10:59 Third suspect arrested after fire at Starlink ground station (this article)