Poland has detained two Ukrainians and three Belarusians on charges that they acted on behalf of foreign intelligence services, Polish prosecutors said today, quoted by Reuters, BTA reported.
The arrests come as Poland warns of attempts by Russia to destabilize countries supporting Ukraine.
Poland says it has been targeted by arson and cyberattacks as part of a "hybrid war" waged by Russia to undermine support for Ukraine. Moscow denies these accusations.
The Ukrainian suspects - Oleksandr S. and the minor Sofia H., along with Belarusians Viktoria M., Anton M. and Vladimir V., were detained on November 25 and 26 by police and special services in the city of Lublin, eastern Poland, prosecutors said.
Their alleged espionage activities include filming and sending photos of critical infrastructure and objects of key importance to national security in 2024 and the beginning of this year, the prosecutor's office added.
"For the performance of these tasks, the suspects received remuneration in cryptocurrency", the prosecutor's office said in a statement.
The penalty for espionage in Poland is from 5 to 30 years in prison. Three of the suspects were remanded in custody for three months, and the underage Ukrainian citizen was sent to a detention center for minors.
Wladimir V. was banned from leaving Poland. He was not arrested due to his deteriorating health. "The investigation concerns the participation of the individuals [...] in foreign intelligence activities against the Republic of Poland between March 2024 and February 2025 in Rzeszów, Warsaw, Łódź and other places", the prosecutor's office said.
"The activities include taking and sharing photos of critical infrastructure, as well as putting up posters and drawing graffiti", they added.