Poland urged tougher EU visa restrictions for Russians following suspected sabotage attacks, Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said on September 3.

European governments are concerned that Moscow is using covert attacks to undermine support for Ukraine and test the EU's readiness to response. As Russia has struggled to contain Ukraine since early 2022 and with the election to the Russian Duma approaching, Europe has long anticipated an increased sabotage campaign.

Sikorski proposed issuing fewer Schengen visas, requiring biometric passports and limiting the number of Russian diplomats and their movements after talks with his French and German counterparts in Weimar, according to a video posted on his Facebook page.

“Russia is trying to destroy the EU from within and should not be allowed to take advantage of the privileges of free movement,” Sikorski said.

More than 2,000 Russian diplomats remain stationed across the EU, and at least 40% of them perform duties incompatible with their diplomatic status, Sikorski said, according to Politico Europe.

The Polish minister's remarks followed a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Ireland on September 2. Tighter tourist visa rules and an entry ban targeting Russian veterans received broad support at that meeting, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said.

The European Commission is preparing changes to the EU visa code to address security threats from hostile countries, a Commission spokesperson said at a September 3 briefing.

The EU suspended visa facilitation for Russians in 2022 and generally stopped issuing them multiple-entry visas in November 2025.

The bloc's July sanctions package established a basis for barring Russian combatants and veterans from entering the EU, but implementation remains pending. Essential travel remains possible, including for dissidents and journalists.

Meanwhile, the number of suspicious incidents across the EU has risen in recent weeks. 

In Poland, prosecutors are investigating possible foreign intelligence involvement in an August 31 fire at WB Electronics' drone factory in Skarżysko-Kamienna, in east-central Poland.

German police are investigating suspected sabotage of electricity infrastructure in Brandenburg and near Bergheim on September 1–2.

Berlin separately blames Russia for an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle airport on August 4. EU's Kallas said reports suggested that a suspect in the Leipzig case had entered Europe on an Italian tourist visa.

Slovak police said on August 25 that they had thwarted a planned arson attack on a drone factory. Police arrested three suspects in Slovakia and Germany.

In Lithuania, funeral wreaths bearing a photograph of RSI Europe’s chief executive were left outside the drone supplier’s premises on August 27. Authorities detained one person and were checking reports of similar intimidation targeting a defence company in Czechia.

An arson attack on August 14–15 also targeted Estonia’s Milrem Robotics, with investigators examining possible Russian involvement.

Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned this week that more attacks can be expected.

Poland summoned Russian ambassador Georgy Mikhno on September 3 to protest what it described as an escalation of hostile Russian actions and to express solidarity with Germany.