Poland Detains Citizen Charged Spying for Russia Amid Security Crackdown

Poland has arrested Wiktor Z., a 28-year-old citizen, on charges of espionage for Russia, accusing him of collecting and passing sensitive information about Poland's critical defense infrastructure to Russian intelligence between February 2024 and April 2025. Detained by the Internal Security Agency on June 4, Wiktor Z. is suspected of acting out of ideological and pro-Russian convictions and faces a prison sentence ranging from eight years to life. This arrest is part of Poland's intensified efforts to counter Russian intelligence activities, which Warsaw links to sabotage attacks and cyber threats targeting its strategic role in supporting Ukraine. Polish officials, including the Prosecutor's Office and government leaders, have accused Moscow of orchestrating sabotage incidents such as the 2024 fire at a Warsaw shopping center, allegations Moscow denies. The Russian embassy in Warsaw has not responded to requests for comment on the espionage charges. Similar espionage and sabotage cases involving Russian intelligence have also been reported in Germany, Greece, Bulgaria, and the Netherlands, reflecting a broader pattern of Russian covert operations in Europe.