- Home
- Poland...
Poland reforms espionage commission after Russia spy arrests
After nine people were arrested in Poland charged with involvement in acts of sabotage on behalf of a Russian spy ring, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has re-established a commission to look into foreign influence.
Poland announced on Tuesday the re-establishment of a commission to investigate Russian influence as the country battles what it says are attempts by Moscow at internal destabilization.
"I issued an order on the establishment of a commission to investigate Russian and Belarusian influence on the internal security and interests of the Republic of Poland in the years 2004-2024," Prime Minister Donald Tusk told a news conference.
The revival of the commission marks a U-turn for Tusk who, while in opposition, had slammed the body, which was set up by Poland's previous nationalist government, as a vehicle for a political witch hunt against him.
Poland arrests nine people linked to Russian spy ring
The commission's re-establishment under the head of the Military Counter Intelligence Service, General Jaroslaw Strozyk, comes a day after Polish authorities arrested nine people on suspicion of carrying out or planning acts of sabotage ordered by Russian intelligence services,
"We currently have nine suspects arrested and charged with engaging in acts of sabotage in Poland directly on behalf of the Russian services," Prime Minister Tusk told private broadcaster TVN24 on Monday night.
He said that the acts included "beatings, arson and attempted arson" and that those arrested are "Ukrainian, Belarusian and Polish citizens," likely with criminal backgrounds, connected to a Russian spy ring.
Tusk said the group is suspected of involvement in attempted arson at a paint factory in Wroclaw, southwestern Poland, and an IKEA shopping center in Lithuania, with activities also targeting Latvia and possible Sweden.
Warsaw says its position as a hub for western supplies to Ukraine has made it a key target for Russian intelligence services.
Tusk indicated that Poland had foiled several acts of sabotage "thanks to the vigilance of our services and our allies."
Poland boosts intelligence and defense spending
Earlier this month, the Polish government announced it was allocating an additional 100 million zlotys ($25.53 million) to its own intelligence services to combat the threat.
This is on top of the 10 billion zlotys ($2.5 billion), which Warsaw is pouring into physical military defenses on its eastern border with Belarus and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.
"We are starting a major project to build a secure border, including fortifications and reorganization of the terrain and the environment, so that this border can no longer serve as a gateway for a potential enemy," said Tusk, adding that work on "Protective Shield East" has already begun.
Increase in suspected Russian-backed incidents
Last month saw a notable rise in the number of incidents in Poland which authorities believe are linked to Russian espionage.
In April, two Polish citizens were detained on suspicion of attacking Leonid Volkov, an exiled top aide to late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, in Vilnius, Lithuania. A Belarusian national was also detained on suspicion of having ordered the attack.
Another Pole was arrested in April and charged with plans to cooperate with Russian foreign intelligence in preparation for a possible assassinate attempt on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Neither the Russian embassy in Warsaw nor the Kremlin Moscow have commented on the incidents.
Also last month, two German-Russian nationals were arrestedin the Bavarian town of Bayreuth on suspicion of spying on German military premises and preparing explosives.
Shortly after that, a German army captain admitted spying for Moscow, saying his actions were driven by a fear of a nuclear escalation amid Russia's war in Ukraine.
Back in February, Polish authorities carried out searches in connection with a suspected Russian spy network in following intelligence provided by the Czech Republic.
mf/wmr (AFP, Reuters)
- https://www.msn.com/en-xl/news/other/poland-reforms-espionage-commission-after-russia-spy-arrests/ar-BB1mNaTR?ocid=00000000
Related
Sweet moment Kate strokes Charlotte's hair and guides her forward
In a gentle scene, the older siblings Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince George, 10, can be seen waiting nervously in the doorway as Kate quietly smooths her daughter's locks.
NewsRussian Marine Corps advance on Donetsk front line
The astonishing video shows Russian Marine Corps advancing towards the front line in Donetsk. The Russian Ministry of defence (MoD) said the Marine Corps formation of the Pacific Fleet of the Votstok group of forces along with other assault units of the Far East advanced towards the city of Kostiantynivka, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, on June 11. It said in a statement: 'The enemy has been creating defensive lines here since 2014; some of the fortifications have remained since the Great Patriotic War. 'The capture of Konstantinovka will make it difficult to supply the enemy's Ugledar group, and will also open the way for offensive actions into the depths of the enemy's defence in the SouthDonetsk direction of a special military operation. 'The offensive tactics of our attack aircraft near Konstantinovka are exactly the same as during the assault on other impregnable fortified areas. 'As a rule, fighters operate in small groups, secretly revealing carefully camouflaged enemy firing points. 'The advance of assault groups is complicated by a large number of communications and terrain mined by the enemy.' An attack gunner codenamed 'Czech' said: 'There are stretch marks everywhere. They are cunning and don't want to let us in. 'But they don't succeed, we are stronger and more experienced, we have a good attitude. Success is always ours.' An attack aircraft commander called 'Pepper' said: 'Nobody turned off the instinct of self-preservation...Everything explodes, bullets and shells fly past, birds are thrown off and kamikazes...The main thing is to find the right position.' Thailand and neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia are at the start of their annual monsoon rainy season which sees soaring temperatures followed by powerful rain storms. The rudimentary infrastructure often struggles with the deluge, leading to widespread flash floods.
NewsFrance's "New Popular Front" divided as France Unbowed party accused of "purge"
Old demons resurface at La France insoumise: often criticized for its lack of internal democracy, Jean-Luc Mélenchon's formation faces new accusations of "purge", five years after the departure of a series of executives. Story by Shirli Sitbon.
News2026 WCQ: Don’t blame for two bad games – Osimhen slams Finidi
Napoli forward, Victor Osimhen has hit back at former Super Eagles head coach, Finidi George over his comments on his commitment towards the national team. Osimhen missed the Super Eagles recent 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic due to injury. Finidi stated that the striker could still have managed to play the t...
NewsRoyals, Radiance and Rain: top photos of Trooping the Colour 2024
Royals, Radiance and Rain: top photos of Trooping the Colour 2024
NewsSoul food: digesting the history of African-American cuisine
Soul food is one of the tastiest, most popular, and recognizable types of cooking to come out of the United States. An African-American cuisine rooted in the country's Deep South and the transatlantic slave trade that flourished—and was finally banished—in the 1800s, this unique food genre is associated with comfort and indulgence, but was created out of struggle and survival. So, are you hungry and feel like soul searching? Click through and digest the history of soul food.
NewsFamous Actors In their First Roles Vs How They Look Now
Here is a list of 10 celebrities, along with before-and-after pictures of their transformations which occurred throughout their lengthy careers in film.
NewsWhich countries are home to the most educated people in Europe?
The proportion of the population with a higher education degree is higher in Nordic and Baltic countries, with women overall being the most educated. View on euronews
News