Two Ukrainians suspected of working for foreign intelligence agencies have been detained in Poland after a joint operation by the Internal Security Agency (ABW) and the Military Counterintelligence Service (SKW). Due to the message found on one of their phones, there is suspicion both of them worked for Russian intelligence services.
“Joint actions of the Military Counterintelligence Service and the Internal Security Agency led to the detention of Ukrainians in Katowice who were carrying out activities for foreign intelligence,” Jacek Dobrzyński, spokesman for the coordinator of special services, reported on platform X on Monday morning.
“A man and a woman, aged 32 and 34, carried out intelligence assignments, including identifying Poland’s military potential and installing devices for covert monitoring of critical infrastructure. The information they collected concerned soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces and critical infrastructure located on Polish territory, including transport infrastructure providing logistical and military support to the fighting Ukraine,” he explained.
The investigation into the suspected offense under Article 130, Section 3 of the Penal Code is being overseen by the Military Affairs Department of the District Prosecutor’s Office in Lublin. By court order, the suspects will spend the next three months in custody.
Article 130, paragraph 3 of the Penal Code concerns ties to foreign intelligence services and espionage. This provision stipulates that anyone who provides assistance to a foreign intelligence service or organizes its activities in exchange for remuneration or the promise of remuneration shall be subject to a prison sentence of six months to eight years.
A 24-year-old Ukrainian was caught during a police check.
In early October, police officers in Biała Podlaska searched two 24-year-old Ukrainians and found drugs in their possession. One of them had correspondence sent to a Russian-speaking recipient on his phone. The correspondence included photos and coordinates of critical infrastructure at the disposal of the Polish Army.
“Materials collected by ABW officers indicate that the suspect was in conversation with a Russian-speaking user in order to carry out further advanced sabotage activities aimed at the security of Poland and Ukraine. In his statements, the man presented pro-Russian views, questioning the sovereignty of Ukraine. The court arrested him for three months. The court decided to apply non-custodial measures against the second suspect. He will be charged with possession of narcotics,” the statement read.
