Poland arrests two Ukrainians suspected of Russian sabotage plot to frame Ukrainian military
Polish security officers have detained two Ukrainian citizens suspected of carrying out espionage and sabotage for Russian intelligence, including setting vehicles on fire and potentially attempting to shift blame onto Ukraine's military.
The suspects, aged 24 and 25, were arrested in Mińsk Mazowiecki, east of Warsaw, Polish intelligence services coordinator Tomasz Siemoniak announced on Nov. 10.
According to Polish authorities, the men identified and photographed military installations and critical infrastructure facilities across Poland. They also face charges related to vehicle arson.
Investigators established that the suspects had previously replaced vehicle license plates with ones resembling those used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Siemoniak said the apparent deception may have been intended to obscure the circumstances of the incidents and redirect suspicion toward Ukraine, potentially providing material for disinformation campaigns.
The suspects allegedly received payments for their assignments, including in cryptocurrency.
Both men have been placed in pretrial detention for three months. The investigation is being supervised by a branch of Poland's National Prosecutor's Office in Łódź.
Polish prosecutors say the suspects face charges related to cooperation with Russian intelligence and acts of sabotage. According to hromadske, the offenses carry a potential sentence of life imprisonment.
The allegations have not yet been proven in court.