Over 50 Russia-Linked Suspects Detained in Poland Since 2022

Polish authorities have detained 55 individuals suspected of acting on behalf of Moscow since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, a spokesman for Poland’s special services told AFP on Tuesday.

“These people who acted to the detriment of Poland have all been charged under Article 130 of the penal code, which pertains to espionage and sabotage,” said Jacek Dobrzynski, spokesperson for the special services.

Earlier on Tuesday, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on X that eight people had been detained across the country in recent days on suspicion of “preparing acts of sabotage.”

Dobrzynski confirmed that three Ukrainian nationals were among the eight suspects, allegedly creating a network to transport explosives across Poland and Romania to Ukraine.

“A 21-year-old Ukrainian was arrested near Warsaw. His two accomplices, who went to Romania, were arrested by the Romanian secret service in Bucharest,” Dobrzynski added.

Polish prosecutors said the trio, acting under orders from Moscow, attempted to prepare and deliver packages containing incendiary devices and chemical substances capable of causing fire or explosions to Ukraine.

“These packages, which were intended to catch fire or explode during transportation, were intercepted by Romanian authorities,” the statement added, calling it a deliberate attempt to “intimidate the population” and “destabilise” European countries supporting Ukraine.

Since February 2022, Poland has accused Russia of orchestrating multiple acts of sabotage, including several fires across the country and in Warsaw. Moscow has repeatedly denied the allegations.

In response, Poland has imposed travel restrictions on Russian diplomats and ordered the closure of two Russian consulates, in Poznan in the west and Krakow in the south.

Poland, a NATO and EU member, shares borders with Ukraine, Belarus (a Russian ally), and Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave, and serves as a key transit route for Western arms and munitions to Ukraine.

Key Details of Detentions

The arrests highlight Poland’s heightened security vigilance amid ongoing tensions with Moscow and its critical role as a frontline supporter of Ukraine.