Poland arrests 4 accused of spying for Russia
Polish authorities have arrested six people over alleged military component shipments to Russia, with four charged with espionage.
Polish authorities said Thursday that they had arrested six people over alleged military component shipments to Russia, four of whom have been 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. 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 include 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.
Siemoniak noted that 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's 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.
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