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Poland arrests 4 accused of spying for Russia

Richard Connor with dpa, AFP
November 5, 2026

Poland has charged four people with espionage, saying they were sending information to Moscow. Two more have been accused of shipping military components to Russia.

An officer wearing an ABW vest stands with other masked officers inside a building
Poland's Internal Security Agency, known as ABW, investigates espionage, terrorism and threats to national securityImage: Krzysztof Zatycki/ZUMA/picture alliance

Polish authorities said Thursday that they had arrested six people over alleged military component shipments to Russia, four of whom have been charged with espionage.

Investigators said the group illegally supplied Moscow with significant quantities of parts used to manufacture ammunition and weapons systems despite an embargo.

What are the suspects accused of?

Four suspects, including the Russian woman, were charged with espionage and placed in pretrial detention for three months, Poland's Internal Security Agency (ABW) said. The other two are subject to non-custodial restrictions.

All six also face allegations of violating rules governing international trade in goods and technologies of strategic importance to national defense and international security.

"Russia is subject to a strict embargo in this area, and this operation was designed to circumvent it," Siemoniak told reporters.

The suspects are five Poles aged 25 to 52 and a 37-year-old Russian woman, intelligence coordinator Tomasz Siemoniak said.

Four suspects, including the Russian woman, were charged with espionage and placed in pretrial detention for three months, Poland's Internal Security Agency (ABW) said. The other two are subject to non-custodial restrictions.

All six also face allegations of violating rules governing international trade in goods and technologies of strategic importance to national defense and international security.

"Russia is subject to a strict embargo in this area, and this operation was designed to circumvent it," Siemoniak told reporters.

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The suspects are five Poles aged 25 to 52 and a 37-year-old Russian woman, intelligence coordinator Tomasz Siemoniak said.

Why is Poland concerned about Russian operations?

Poland, an EU and NATO member, is a major supporter of Ukraine and the main transit route for Western military and humanitarian aid to the country.

Siemoniak said nearly 100 people had been charged in ABW espionage and sabotage investigations since January 1, 2024.

Warsaw has repeatedly accused Russia of sabotage since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Poland had foiled a possible provocation at its border with Russia's Kaliningrad exclave.

The Russian Embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Kremlin has consistently denied conducting sabotage operations in NATO countries.

Richard Connor Reporting on stories from around the world, with a particular focus on Europe — especially Germany.
Edited by:Sean Sinico
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