Polish court detains Ukrainians accused of collaborating with Russian intelligence

Detention near Warsaw

Officers of Poland's Internal Security Agency (ABW) detained two Ukrainian citizens, aged 24 and 25, on 3 November. The incident took place in the city of Minsk Mazowiecki, located near the country's capital. This became known from a statement by the National Prosecutor's Office published on Tuesday, 10 November.

During the detention, investigators conducted searches at the suspects' residences and other locations. Electronic data storage devices, as well as narcotic substances, were seized.

Links to Russian security services

According to the investigation, the men acted on the orders of Russian intelligence agencies. They were paid a reward, including in cryptocurrency. The main objective of their actions was to create anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Polish society.

The sabotage methodology involved setting fire to cars that had been fitted in advance with number plates resembling those of the Ukrainian army. This move was intended to create a false impression of the Ukrainian army's involvement in the incidents.

Comment by the coordinating minister

Coordinating Minister of Security Services Tomasz Semoniak commented on the situation on the social network X. He noted that the use of such number plates may have been intended to complicate the establishment of the true motives behind the events and to serve as a tool for spreading disinformation.

«Це могло бути зроблено, щоб утруднити встановлення справжньої підоснови подій», — написав у X міністр-координатор спецслужб Томаш Семоняк. ("This may have been done to make it difficult to establish the true basis of the events," Coordinating Minister of Security Services Tomasz Semoniak wrote on X.)

Charges and court ruling

The day after the detention, the prosecutor formally charged the suspects. They are accused of participating in the activities of a foreign intelligence service against Poland's interests and committing an act of sabotage, specifically the arson of vehicles in one of the country's major cities. The investigation has not disclosed the specific city where the incident occurred.

In addition, the men are accused of gathering information about military facilities and critical infrastructure on Polish territory.

The prosecution applied to the court for a preventive measure in the form of detention, citing the risk of the suspects fleeing and the severity of the potential punishment, which amounts to life imprisonment. The court granted this request, ordering three months of detention for both men.

Responsible authorities

The investigation is being led by the Łódź branch of the Internal Security Agency. Oversight of the process is carried out by the prosecutor's office specialising in combating organised crime and corruption, also located in Łódź.