Polish prosecutors charged two Ukrainian men with espionage and sabotage, alleging they acted for Russian intelligence in Poland as part of a scheme to intensify anti-Ukrainian sentiment.
Poland's National Prosecutor's Office said the Internal Security Agency (ABW) arrested the men Nov. 3. Prosecutors filed charges Nov. 4, and the office announced the case Nov. 10.
Investigators allege the men's assignments included checking sensitive infrastructure and military locations around Poland. Prosecutors say the pair altered vehicle registration plates to make them appear associated with Ukraine's military before setting cars on fire.
Investigators said the assignments brought the men payments, some made in cryptocurrency. If convicted, each could face at least 10 years in prison or life imprisonment.
Reuters reported that Polish authorities have tied a wider pattern of sabotage, cyberattacks and disinformation since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine to Russia and Belarus. The outlet said Moscow has repeatedly rejected those broader allegations. Reuters said its request for comment had drawn no prompt response from the Russian Embassy in Warsaw.
In a separate case, ABW said six people were detained over alleged transfers of military components to Russia, with four facing espionage charges. EconoTimes previously covered the separate component-transfer investigation.
