Two Ukrainian nationals, aged 24 and 25, have been arrested in Poland on suspicion of espionage and sabotage on behalf of the Russian secret services. The men were arrested on 3 November 2026 in the town of Mińsk Mazowiecki, near Warsaw, and on 10 November, Polish law enforcement authorities released details of the case. According to the investigation, the suspects were gathering information on military facilities and critical infrastructure, as well as setting fire to vehicles. This was reported by the Polish Internal Security Agency (ABW) and the Polish National Prosecutor’s Office.
What is known about the detention of Ukrainians in Poland
The operation was carried out by officers from the Łódź branch of the Polish Internal Security Agency. The two men were arrested on 3 November in Minsk Mazowiecki, east of Warsaw.
During searches of the suspects’ premises and other locations, law enforcement officers seized electronic storage media and narcotic substances.
According to ABW, the men carried out tasks which, according to the investigation, were issued by the Russian security services. In particular, they conducted reconnaissance and photographed military and critical infrastructure sites in various regions of Poland.
On 4 November, the public prosecutor’s office charged both detainees with espionage on behalf of a foreign intelligence service against Poland and with acts of sabotage.
The car fires may have been an attempt to discredit Ukraine
One aspect of the investigation concerns the arson attacks on cars in one of Poland’s major cities.
According to the prosecution, prior to setting the fires, the men had changed the number plates on their vehicles to ones similar to those used by the Ukrainian army.
Investigators believe that such a scheme may have helped to conceal the true organisers of the sabotage and divert suspicion towards the Ukrainian military.
The Polish public prosecutor’s office stated that the aim of the alleged instigators was to stir up anti-Ukrainian sentiment in the country.
According to law enforcement officials, the suspects received payment for carrying out these tasks, in particular in cryptocurrency. The exact amounts of the payments are not disclosed.
What punishment do those arrested face?
Both Ukrainians have been charged under paragraphs 1 and 7 of Article 130 of the Polish Criminal Code, which relate to espionage and subversive activities on behalf of a foreign intelligence service.
According to ABW, if found guilty, they face a sentence ranging from 10 years’ imprisonment to life imprisonment.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office applied to the court for the suspects to be remanded in custody. The court granted the application and remanded both suspects in custody for three months.
The investigation is being conducted by the Łódź branch of the ABW under the procedural supervision of The National Public Prosecutor’s Office of Poland. The names of those detained have not been officially released.
Poland is investigating acts of sabotage which it links to Russia
After the start the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine The Polish security services have repeatedly reported that they have uncovered individuals suspected of working for Russian intelligence.
Warsaw accuses Russia and Belarus of carrying out hybrid operations, including sabotage, cyber-attacks and the dissemination of disinformation.
Moscow had previously denied any involvement in such actions. The Russian embassy in Warsaw had not responded to a query from Reuters regarding the latest arrest at the time of publication.
According to the Polish authorities, the suspects’ actions may have been aimed not only at critical infrastructure, but also at worsening Polish public opinion towards Ukraine.
As of 10 November 2026, both detainees remain in custody and the investigation is ongoing. The charges brought do not imply a finding of guilt — the final decision will be made by the court.
