Poland arrests 18 people for allegedly planning hostile actions against Russia and Belarus

Poland arrested 18 people on charges of conducting hostile activities or planning sabotage on behalf of Russia and Belarus, the Minister of Internal Affairs announced on Monday.

The allegations include plans to assassinate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Ten of those arrested since December were directly involved in planning various forms of sabotage in Poland, said the Minister of Internal Affairs, Tomasz Siemoniak, at a press conference.

Polish authorities have linked some recent arson or attempted arson attacks to Russian-sponsored agents. A statement from the Internal Security Agency shows that citizens of Poland, Belarus and Ukraine were among those arrested in recent months.

In April, a Pole was arrested on suspicion of being willing to spy for Russian military intelligence in connection with an alleged plot to kill Zelensky, the Polish prosecutor’s office reported. The man allegedly sought contact with Russians directly involved in the war in Ukraine and was to provide detailed information about the strategic Rzeszów-Jasionka airport in southeastern Poland, close to the border with Ukraine.

Siemoniak said the acts of sabotage appear to be part of a broader plan that also includes cyberattacks, pushing migrants from Belarus to cross into Poland and threatening the security of a country that is supporting Ukraine in repelling a full-scale Russian invasion.

“We have no doubt that on the orders of a foreign state, such as Russia, there are people who are ready to threaten the life, health and property of Polish citizens,” Siemoniak said.