Poland detains two Ukrainian men suspected of espionage and sabotage for Russia
Poland’s internal security agency detained two Ukrainian men, aged 24 and 25, in Mińsk Mazowiecki on suspicion of espionage and sabotage ordered by Russian intelligence. Prosecutors allege they collected information on critical infrastructure and military sites, changed vehicle registration plates to resemble those of Ukrainian military transport and received payment, including in cryptocurrency. A court placed both men under detention for three months.
Key points
- The two Ukrainian men were detained in Mińsk Mazowiecki in central-eastern Poland.
- They are suspected of espionage and sabotage on behalf of Russian intelligence.
- They reportedly collected information and photographed critical infrastructure and military sites in Poland.
- Prosecutors say they changed vehicle registration plates to resemble those of Ukrainian military transport.
- They received payment, including in cryptocurrency, for carrying out assigned tasks.
- Both were placed under detention for three months.
- The case is overseen by the National Prosecutor’s Office in Łódź.
Why it matters
The case alleges an active Russian espionage and sabotage operation targeting Poland’s critical infrastructure and military sites. The alleged use of Ukrainian-style military registration plates could have obscured responsibility and helped direct suspicion toward Ukraine. It is also part of a wider series of Russian espionage-related detentions and expulsions involving Ukrainian and other nationals across Poland, Lithuania and Germany.
What happened
Agents of Poland’s internal security agency detained two Ukrainian citizens, aged 24 and 25, in Mińsk Mazowiecki. According to Poland’s National Prosecutor’s Office, the men are accused of cooperating with Russian intelligence against Poland and carrying out sabotage. Investigators say they gathered information and photographed critical infrastructure and military sites across Poland. They also allegedly changed the registration numbers of their cars to resemble those used by Ukrainian military transport and received payment, including in cryptocurrency, for assigned tasks. A court placed both men under detention for three months, while the investigation is overseen by the National Prosecutor’s Office in Łódź. The charges they face carry penalties ranging from 10 years in prison to life imprisonment.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian reporting highlights the suspects’ Ukrainian citizenship, their alleged surveillance of Polish critical and military sites, and the use of registration numbers resembling Ukrainian military transport. It also focuses on the stated risk of diverting suspicion toward Ukraine and spreading disinformation, as well as the alleged cryptocurrency payments.
Background
Poland’s internal security agency had detained six other people the previous week, including five Poles and a Russian citizen, on suspicion of espionage for Russian services and transferring military materials to Russia. Lithuania had expelled three Ukrainian citizens accused of carrying out paid tasks for hostile foreign intelligence services, while police in Brandenburg, Germany, had arrested a Ukrainian citizen on suspicion of spying for Russia.