Two Ukrainian nationals detained in Poland over alleged Russian-directed espionage and arson

In brief

• Poland's ABW detained two Ukrainian men, aged 24 and 25, in Mińsk Mazowiecki on suspicion of spying and sabotage for Russian special services.
• Investigators say the suspects photographed infrastructure and military sites and set fire to vehicles fitted with false plates, and were paid partly in cryptocurrency.
• A court ordered both held for three months; the case is being investigated and no verdict has been reached.

Arrests in Mińsk Mazowiecki

Polish security officials said the two men were detained in Mińsk Mazowiecki, a town in east-central Poland. Minister-coordinator of special services Tomasz Siemoniak announced the arrests on X (Підпали авто та розвідка військових об’єктів: у Польщі викрили ймовірних агентів РФ з України – Espreso) (У Польщі затримали двох українців за підозрою у шпигунстві і диверсіях на користь РФ – Європейська правда). Reports indicate the detention of the younger suspect took place on 3 November (Mieli działać dla Rosji. ABW zatrzymała dwóch mężczyzn – Wirtualna Polska).

Alleged tasks and payment

Investigators believe the suspects photographed and mapped critical infrastructure and military facilities across Poland (Ukraińcy szpiegowali na rzecz Rosji. ABW zatrzymała dwie osoby – RMF24). Prosecutors say the sabotage was carried out on instructions from Russian intelligence and aimed to stoke anti-Ukrainian sentiment. The men reportedly received payment, including in cryptocurrency, for their assignments (Двух граждан Украины задержали в Польше по подозрению в шпионаже – Reform.news).

Vehicle arson and false plates

The suspects are also accused of setting fire to vehicles in a large Polish city. According to ABW, they had replaced the registration plates of the cars with plates resembling those used by the Ukrainian army (Akcja ABW. Dwaj mężczyźni zatrzymani. W tle dywersja rosyjskich służb – Onet).

Charges and custody

Both men face charges of espionage for a foreign intelligence service against Poland and committing sabotage. A court ordered them held in custody for three months. If convicted, they face between 10 years in prison and life imprisonment, according to prosecutors. The investigation is supervised by a regional branch of the National Prosecutor's Office in Łódź.

Wider context

The arrests follow a separate operation the previous week, in which the agency detained six people, five Poles and one Russian citizen, on suspicion of spying for Russian services and passing military-related materials to Russia. The Russian embassy in Warsaw had not responded to a request for comment at the time of reporting.

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