WARSAW: Polish security services on Wednesday said a 26-year-old Ukrainian citizen had been charged with provocation and incitement to espionage against the NATO member.
The man, identified as Oleksandr D., was apprehended in early March on suspicion of planning activities aimed at espionage against Poland, according to a statement by security services spokesman Jacek Dobrzynski. The charges allege that Oleksandr D. encouraged a Polish citizen to engage in foreign intelligence activities targeting Poland.
Dobrzynski said that the espionage activities involved the sharing of photographs of military vehicles intended for aiding Ukraine, which were crossing the border between Poland and Ukraine. “This activity was to consist of sharing photos of military vehicles that were intended for aiding Ukraine and which were crossing the border between Poland and Ukraine,” he added.
The Ukrainian citizen reportedly offered a payment of 15,000 euros ($16,000) to the Polish citizen in exchange for the sensitive information, although it remains unspecified whether the offer was accepted.
Oleksandr D. faces severe legal consequences, with charges officially filed against him on Tuesday. If convicted, he could be sentenced to a minimum of eight years in prison.
The incident comes amidst mounting tensions between Poland and Russia, with Poland accusing its eastern neighbor of planning several sabotage plots on its territory in recent months.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has previously condemned such acts, attributing them to Russian interference and expressing gratitude for the vigilance of Polish security services and allies in averting potential crises. These acts “were fortunately averted thanks to the vigilance of our services and allies,” Tusk said in mid-May.
Furthermore, Tusk announced plans to bolster Poland’s intelligence services in response to the sabotage attempts and ongoing concerns over Russian aggression. Poland, a steadfast ally of Kyiv, has played a crucial role in facilitating Western support to Ukraine, serving as a vital conduit for the transfer of weapons and munitions to aid in Ukraine’s defense against Russia.
