Poland arrests 4 over alleged spying for Russia
Polish authorities have arrested six people over alleged military component shipments to Russia, charging four with espionage.
Polish authorities said Thursday they had arrested six people over alleged military component shipments to Russia, four of whom they charged with espionage. Investigators said the group illegally supplied Moscow with significant quantities of parts used to manufacture ammunition and weapons systems despite an embargo.
Espionage charges
Four suspects, including a Russian woman, were charged with espionage and placed in pretrial detention for three months, Poland's Internal Security Agency (ABW) said. The other two face non-custodial restrictions. All six also face allegations of violating rules governing international trade in strategic goods.
Russia is subject to a strict embargo in this area, and this operation was designed to circumvent it.
Growing security concerns
The suspects are five Poles aged 25 to 52 and a 37-year-old Russian woman. Poland, an EU and NATO member, is a major supporter of Ukraine and the main transit route for Western military and humanitarian aid to the country.
Siemoniak said nearly 100 people had been charged in ABW espionage and sabotage investigations since January 1, 2024. Warsaw has repeatedly accused Russia of sabotage since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Poland had foiled a possible provocation at its border with Russia's Kaliningrad exclave. The Russian Embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Kremlin has consistently denied conducting sabotage operations in NATO countries.
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