16 foreign individuals are facing charges in Poland over spying for Russia, allegedly preparing acts of sabotage and gathering information on military equipment deliveries to Ukraine.
The country’s intelligence service coordinator office, in a statement announced the charges against the spy gang.
The statement read; “Charges have been filed against 16 foreigners accused of conducting espionage activities on behalf of Russian intelligence services on Polish territory and participating in an organised criminal group”.
“Their assigned tasks included identifying military facilities and critical infrastructure, monitoring and documenting trains transporting military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine and preparing for train derailments,” the statement added.
The National Prosecutor’s Office believes they were paid by Russian security services in exchange for identifying critical infrastructure, such as military facilities and ports, and installing web cameras on the transport routes of military aid to Ukraine.
The office said all of the accused had confessed to committing the acts, which also included engaging in propaganda with the goal of turning Polish sentiment against neighbouring Ukraine.
Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro said on X, formerly Twitter, that each of the accused faces up to 10 years in prison.
News emerged that Poland had broken up a spy ring in March 2023.
Poland has been one of the major donors of military equipment to Ukraine and served as a transport hub for arms coming from its Western allies.
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