Poland arrests two Ukrainian men for spying and sabotage for Russia

Poland has arrested two Ukrainian men who are suspected of carrying out spying and sabotage for Russian intelligence services. The Internal Security Agency, known as the ABW, announced the arrests on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.

The Charges and Actions

Investigators say the men checked out critical infrastructure and military sites across Poland on orders from Russia. Officials state that the suspects set fire to vehicles after swapping their real number plates for fake ones that looked like Ukrainian military plates. The men received payment for these tasks, including payments made using cryptocurrencies. Prosecutors charged both detainees with doing espionage work for a foreign country against Poland and committing acts of sabotage. The suspects face between 10 years and life in prison if courts find them guilty.

Broader Context

Investigators noted that the sabotage acts aimed to stir up anti-Ukrainian feelings among the public. The Russian embassy in Warsaw did not immediately reply to an emailed request for comment on the matter. Poland has accused Russia and its close ally Belarus of running a hybrid campaign of sabotage, cyberattacks, and spreading false information ever since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Moscow has repeatedly denied these accusations.

Context

Intelligence agencies across Europe remain on high alert for covert operations linked to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Such incidents highlight ongoing security concerns in nations neighboring the conflict zone as tensions between Russia and Western-backed countries persist.