Poland has arrested two Ukrainian nationals accused of gathering intelligence on military and critical infrastructure for foreign services, as part of an intensified counter-espionage campaign.
Polish authorities announced the detention of two Ukrainian citizens, aged 32 and 34, on October 14 in Katowice, alleging they conducted covert surveillance of military facilities and critical infrastructure. The Internal Security Agency (ABW) claims the suspects “carried out contracts for foreign intelligence, including reconnaissance of Poland’s military potential, installation of devices for covert monitoring of critical infrastructure.”
A court has ordered that they remain in custody for three months pending trial, amid broader accusations that Poland faces a “hybrid war” campaign of sabotage by Russia. Minister Tomasz Siemoniak stated: “This is evidence that we are witnessing an intensification of sabotage activities and preparations for sabotage cases.”
The arrests come in coordination with a wider sweep in which eight individuals were detained in Poland and Romania on suspicion of preparing sabotage actions. Authorities said the effort involved reconnaissance of military facilities, preparing means to carry out sabotage, and conducting direct attacks.